Increase in hospitalizations and traffic deaths associated with alcohol in Mato Grosso

Despite the increase in the number of deaths, the rate per 100,000 inhabitants fell from 12.5 in 2010 to 11.1 in 2024. Even with this reduction, Mato Grosso had the third highest rate in the country, behind only Tocantins and Piauí.

Most of the victims were men. They represented 86.1% of deaths registered in 2024, while women accounted for 13.9% of cases. The survey also shows that men were the majority among people hospitalized in cases linked to drinking and driving.

In addition to deaths, the number of hospitalizations also increased in Mato Grosso. In 2025, 2,037 hospitalizations related to alcohol consumption and driving were recorded. The number represents 258 more cases than in 2024 and 785 more than in 2010.

The hospitalization rate reached 52.3 cases per 100 thousand inhabitants in 2025. Among patients, 77.2% were men and 22.8% were women, maintaining the difference observed between victims of traffic deaths.

The survey also points out possible factors related to the numbers, such as the number of breathalyzer inspection operations, the increase in the vehicle fleet and accidents involving motorcycles.

In August of this year, after being expelled from a nightclub, Hercílio Junio ​​Freitas Cordeiro, aged 22, drove off and ran over motorcyclist Paulo Messias Simão Costa, aged 23, who died at the scene, in Cuiabá. Before leaving the establishment, according to his wife, he had drunk alcohol, became upset, broke a glass and was removed by security guards.

Before Paulo was run over, the driver had already been involved in another accident on Avenida Isaac Póvoas, where he hit the back of a motorcycle. The motorcyclist was injured, and the driver left the scene without providing assistance.

He then continued driving and hit Paulo's motorcycle. A team from the Mobile Emergency Care Service (Samu) was called, but the doctor confirmed the death of the delivery man.