Author Cobramor reports having been run over in Albufeira and describes several near-miss situations he experienced, both during the tourist season and outside of it. The article analyzes the combination of automobile culture and alcohol culture in the municipality, arguing that this combination makes runovers not an isolated phenomenon, but a recurring trend.
The text presents concrete data on pedestrian accidents in Albufeira, mentioning a study by Bruno Lopes from the Nova University of Lisbon that recorded 97 people run over in 2011, with an average of 46 in the following years. In 2024, runovers increased by 34.4%, rising from 32 to 43, a period during which security operations in the nightlife zones recorded hundreds of incidents, mainly alcohol intoxication on Avenida Sá Carneiro.
The article criticizes the municipal executive led by Rui Cristina, accusing it of treating runovers as isolated acts instead of acknowledging a trend, for economic reasons. It also criticizes legislation on clothing in public spaces, arguing that it diverts attention from alcohol consumption and places responsibility solely on the individual. The author also questions the "all-inclusive" tourism model and cheap alcohol promotions, considering that Albufeira's tourism positioning contributes to the accident rate.
The text makes political references to the Chega party, suggesting that the party's moralistic rhetoric contrasts with its coexistence with the excessive alcohol consumption promoted by tourism in Albufeira. It also points to previous statements by Rui Cristina on immigration and culture, questioning what type of culture is actually promoted by the municipality.
