A family outing turned into a roadside ordeal in Teresina, Piauí, when their vehicle ran out of fuel on a major bridge, leading to its seizure by traffic authorities. The incident occurred on the night of Thursday, May 8th, on the Juscelino Kubitschek Bridge, commonly known as the Ponte da Frei Serafim.
The car, which was carrying a couple, a baby, and two other children, came to a halt in the middle of the bridge after its fuel tank emptied. The situation quickly escalated when officials from the Municipal Transport and Traffic Superintendency (Strans) arrived at the scene. According to the Strans report, the vehicle was not just immobilized due to the fuel shortage; it was officially seized because it had accumulated a significant backlog of traffic violations, totaling more than R$20,000 in unpaid fines.
The family's predicament was captured on video by a passerby who encountered them near the site of the seizure. The man, who recorded the scene for social media, explained that the family was from the municipality of União, located approximately 65 kilometers from Teresina. He described their situation as "delicate," noting they were left stranded on the street after the car was towed away.
In the video, the man filming provides context from the family's perspective. He states that the family claimed the car simply ran out of gas and they were stopped, trying to figure out how to move it. He further alleges that the Strans officers then arrived, confiscated the vehicle, and left the family, including the sick baby they were bringing from the hospital, without assistance.
The driver of the vehicle, also captured in the video, offered a different perspective on the authorities' actions. He claimed the car was seized "only because it was late," suggesting the primary reason for the seizure was related to the outstanding fines rather than the immediate fuel issue on the bridge.
This incident highlights the strict enforcement of traffic regulations in Teresina, where vehicles with substantial unpaid fines are subject to immediate seizure, even in circumstances that might otherwise be considered a simple breakdown. The presence of young children and a reportedly ill infant added a layer of public sympathy and scrutiny to the enforcement action.
The Strans has not publicly commented further on the specific details of the family's claims regarding the hospital visit or the assistance provided. The case underscores the potential consequences for drivers who neglect to settle accumulated traffic debts, as authorities prioritize the removal of such vehicles from the roadways.
Based on reporting from g1.