Motorcycle accidents increase for the sixth month in a row and take more than 2,600 victims to Ferreira Machado Hospital

According to the director of the emergency room at Hospital Ferreira Machado, orthopedic doctor Fábio Macedo, the growth confirms a reality faced daily by the unit's teams. "Regardless of weather conditions, holidays or parties, the number of victims has increased every month since January. This is noticeable in the hospital wards, which remain full. This scenario directly impacts the quality of care and reinforces the need for a paradigm shift in Campos traffic, especially in relation to accidents involving motorcycles", he stated. The director explains that, in recent years, the profile of patients treated has also been repeated. According to him, the majority of victims are young men, of economically active age, who end up suffering serious trauma and, often, are left with permanent consequences. Also according to Fábio Macedo, one of the factors that can reduce the severity of accidents is the correct use of helmets. "The helmet is a fundamental piece of equipment. In many cases, it makes the difference between a mild trauma and a serious neurological injury, which can leave permanent consequences or even lead to death. It is a piece of equipment that saves lives." In addition to the impact on victims and their families, accidents also increase the demand for surgeries, hospitalizations and intensive care beds, putting pressure on the service capacity of the region's main emergency hospital. Doctor Aluísio Puglia highlights that, although no one practices physical activity thinking about having an accident, maintaining good physical condition can contribute to a faster recovery after trauma. According to him, physically active people tend to have a better response during rehabilitation because they have greater muscle mass, which makes it easier from the period of hospitalization to resuming day-to-day activities. Aging causes a natural loss of muscle mass, making recovery slower. Therefore, says the doctor, maintaining an exercise routine represents an investment in both quality of life and recovery in the face of unexpected situations. The management of Hospital Ferreira Machado reinforces that the reduction of these numbers depends mainly on the adoption of safer behaviors in traffic, such as respecting the laws, reducing speed, paying attention when driving and the use of protective equipment.