PRF denies fines to drivers with windshield broken by hail

The Federal Highway Police (PRF) denied having fined drivers for driving with a windshield broken by the hail that hit Biguaçu, in Greater Florianópolis, on Saturday (29). The version that drivers would have been fined because of the damage caused by the storm gained repercussion on social networks after being spread by a state deputy from União Brasil and was reproduced by local pages and websites.

In a statement released on Sunday (30), the PRF said that the inspection carried out at km 193 of BR-101 did not record any fines for damaged windshields. According to the corporation, the operation focused on the inspection of drunk driving and had begun about 15 minutes before the arrival of state deputy Sérgio Guimarães (União Brasil) at the scene.

Until then, says the PRF, only two infractions had been found: a driver driving without a driver’s license and another without a seat belt. The corporation also stated that, upon becoming aware of the extent of the damage caused by the storm and the operation mounted by the Civil Defense, it suspended the inspection. The agents then began to assist in serving the population, including the distribution of tarpaulins.

The controversy began after Guimarães published a video showing the blitz. According to the deputy, three people who sought help from the Civil Defense would have reported that they were fined after traveling with their windshields broken by hail. In the available public records, however, the congressman does not appear witnessing this type of fine. His statement was based on the reports he said he had received.

The episode spread quickly through the networks. Publications began to claim that the PRF was fining victims of the storm, while local websites reproduced similar versions. The images of the blitz, combined with the damage caused by the hailstorm, contributed to amplify the repercussion.

The occurrence of hail, on the other hand, is confirmed by official agencies. Epagri/Ciram recorded severe storms in the region, with large hailstones. The Civil Defense of Santa Catarina reported that more than a thousand homes were affected and that five municipalities declared an emergency situation.

After the PRF note, Guimarães maintained his criticism of the carrying out of the blitz in that context. The deputy said that, if there were no fines for the windshields, “better”, but considered the inspection during the emergency inadequate.

According to traffic legislation, a damaged windshield can result in a fine when the crack compromises the driver’s vision area or exceeds the limits established by Contran. The infraction is serious, with a fine of R$ 195.23 and five points on the CNH. In the case of Biguaçu, however, the PRF states that no fine of this type has been applied.