RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) -
Rio de Janeiro officials told drivers they may run red lights at night because of a
rash of fatal carjackings and robberies at the city's stoplights.
"You won't be fined if you go through a red light from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.," said Rio traffic department spokesman
Ivan Lima Alves. "This is our way of dealing with the growing number of hold-ups at stoplights."
Even violence-weary residents of Brazil's second largest city were shocked by last weekend's attacks on sitting duck
drivers, which left three dead and 13 injured.
A 38-year-old businesswoman died of gunshot wounds after thieves fired at several cars trying to flee from them,
while an off-duty policeman was shot twice in the stomach by carjackers in the famous beach neighborhood of
Copacabana.
Running a red light usually means a fine of $100 dollars and seven points on the driver's license, which is suspended
at 20 points.
Lima Alves said Rio's relaxation of red light regulations is compatible with Brazil's new traffic code, which says drivers
should react if their lives are in danger by taking whatever measures may be necessary.
