Contran Approves New Rules for Brazil's Lei Seca Stops

Overview

• Contran approved the resolution on Monday, August 17, updating procedures for Lei Seca stops and setting that the text takes effect on publication in the Diário Oficial with some form and code changes delayed for 60 days.
• The new triage stage allows pre‑tests or passive alcohol tests whose results are only orientative and cannot alone justify an infraction; positive indications must move to the formal confirmation steps.
• Rules now require a retest when results may be compromised, including suspected residual alcohol in the mouth from products like liquor sweets or mouthwash, or when technical or operational factors affect validity.
• The measure permits use of drogômetros to detect psychoactive substances but limits results to qualitative indications that do not measure concentration and must be corroborated by at least two observed signs of altered psychomotor capacity.
• The resolution creates no new infractions or penalties, keeps refusal punishments unchanged, and ties full rollout to SBAC/Inmetro certification of devices and to system updates by federal and state traffic agencies, with some PRF and state operations already applying parts of the new procedures.