Aging vehicle fleet in São Paulo's ABC and Alto Tietê regions raises safety risks
A study by Detran‑SP shows that in the Grande ABC region of São Paulo state, 1.466 million vehicles are registered, of which 376 817 (about one‑quarter) are older than 20 years. These older cars, trucks and vans lack modern safety equipment such as airbags (mandatory since 2014) and ABS brakes, increasing the risk of severe injuries in crashes. Traffic expert Creso Peixoto noted that newer vehicles also feature seat‑belt standards and electronic fuel injection that improve crash protection and reduce emissions.
In the Alto Tietê region, Detran‑SP reports 792 215 vehicles, with 227 898 (28.8 %) over 20 years old. Mogi das Cruzes has the highest number of old cars (64 434), while Salesópolis has the greatest share of vintage vehicles (43.9 %). Analysts warn that the aging fleet demands more maintenance, can contribute to congestion and raises accident risk. At the same time, owners cite lower maintenance costs, tax exemptions and cheaper insurance as benefits, and classic‑car enthusiasts such as Michele Matos maintain clubs that celebrate these older models.