The Maio Amarelo 2025 campaign was officially launched on May 7, 2025, in various cities across Brazil, including Caxias, Montes Claros, and Betim, with the theme "Desacelere, seu bem maior é a vida" (Slow down, your greatest asset is life). This initiative aims to raise awareness about traffic safety and reduce the alarming rates of accidents and fatalities on the roads.
In Caxias, the campaign was coordinated by the Secretaria Municipal de Trânsito, Transporte e Mobilidade Urbana, in partnership with other municipal and state agencies. Sargento Moisés, the municipal secretary of Traffic, emphasized the campaign's importance due to the high number of accidents affecting society. "The moment has come to bring this to light to try to reduce the number of accidents and deaths on the roads. The young audience is particularly important to us, as many start driving at the age of 15, even without a license," he stated.
Marta Alves, an educator, highlighted the need for awareness, noting that many young people pick up children from daycare without wearing helmets. She stressed that safety gear is essential, especially for those riding motorcycles. "If a person is on a motorcycle, they must wear a helmet and the necessary protective gear," she said.
Lisiane Bezerra, head of the 2nd Regional Traffic Circumscription, announced that throughout May, various actions would be implemented to promote traffic safety and the value of life, including educational approaches until May 25. This initiative gathered authorities from security, health, education, and various partner organizations, including emergency services and local schools.
Ricardo Almeida, commander of the 2nd Battalion of the Military Police, reiterated the need to educate society, especially young people, about the responsibility of driving motorcycles. He urged parents to understand the risks involved in allowing underage individuals to operate vehicles. "If you are not of age and not licensed, it is not the time to drive a motorcycle. It is a significant responsibility to operate a motorcycle, and you will be held accountable for it," Almeida remarked.
Vinícius Costa, an inspector with the Federal Highway Police, emphasized the importance of collaboration among agencies for traffic safety. He noted that the campaign serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility of society to ensure safer roads.
Paulo Ricardo, a professor at Unifacema, mentioned that his institution has been contributing to the campaign for ten years by providing students to conduct lectures in schools, fostering responsible driving among future motorists. The campaign will include various educational activities, such as lectures, informative blitzes, and simulations of accident response, throughout the month.
Caxias alone has nearly 50,000 motorcycles, but only 40% of the population is licensed to operate them, presenting a significant challenge for traffic and safety authorities. Jurandy Braga, the municipal secretary of Public Safety and Civil Defense, highlighted the dangers of this statistic. "The act of love is to provide safety to the youth, and safety cannot be given by handing over a motorcycle to an underage individual. In Caxias, we have 48,000 two-wheeled vehicles, which are most involved in accidents and cause the highest number of victims. Studies show that wearing a helmet reduces the risk of severe accidents by 70%, particularly head trauma. We want society to be a partner with the authorities in this endeavor," he stated.
In Montes Claros, the Maio Amarelo 2025 campaign was also launched on the same day, focusing on the same theme. The event featured representatives from key traffic agencies, security forces, municipal secretariats, schools, and partner institutions. The program included educational presentations, distribution of informative materials, and activities with students from Transitolândia, which aims to educate children on road safety.
MCTrans, the municipal agency responsible for traffic planning and education, emphasized that Maio Amarelo is not just a campaign but a movement for life. "Slowing down is a conscious and necessary choice to build a safer traffic environment for everyone," the agency stated.
In Betim, the Polícia Rodoviária Federal (PRF) kicked off the Maio Amarelo 2025 campaign with an educational event supported by the State Traffic Management Coordination. The PRF plans to carry out a series of activities in its 17 offices across the state, including lectures, Cinema Rodoviário sessions, and educational initiatives during highway checks. The campaign aims to provoke reflection on every citizen's role in traffic and how individual actions directly impact community safety.
The theme "Desacelere, seu bem maior é a vida" serves as a reminder to all drivers and pedestrians about the importance of adopting safe behaviors on the roads. Maio Amarelo, which began in Brazil in 2014, is part of an international movement aimed at reducing traffic accidents through education and preventive actions.
Throughout the month, various activities will take place in schools, public roads, and institutional spaces, reinforcing the message of traffic safety. The campaign emphasizes that each individual's attitude can save lives and that collective responsibility is crucial for creating safer roads.
As the campaign progresses, it aims to foster a culture of safety and respect on the roads, encouraging everyone to reflect on their behavior and the impact it has on others. The Maio Amarelo initiative is a call to action for all citizens to participate actively in making their communities safer and more respectful places for everyone on the road.
