RJ has 705 complaints about the Chilean line until October, says Linha Verde; ‘it came towards my neck’, said victim

Rio de Janeiro registered 705 complaints about the Chilean line until October this year. Of this total, 518 incidents occurred in the capital.

Motorcyclists report accidents caused by lines on roads in Rio de Janeiro. Natan Ribeiro and Anderson Clayton suffered neck injuries.

To reduce risks, drivers use protective antennas on their motorcycles. The accessory costs between R$15 and R$30.

The state of Rio de Janeiro registered 705 complaints involving a Chilean line this year, until October, according to a survey by the Linha Verde Program, from Disque Denúncia. Of this total, 518 calls were recorded in the capital, equivalent to 73.5% of incidents.

Piedade, in the North Zone of the capital of Rio de Janeiro, leads the number of complaints in the city, with 95 calls. Next comes Campo Grande, in the West Zone of the municipality, with 60.

The risk caused by the lines is also reported by motorcyclists who were hit while traveling on state roads. In Teresópolis, in the Serrana Region, Natan Ribeiro suffered a cut on his neck while riding a motorcycle through the São Pedro neighborhood.

According to the merchant, the accident happened in Praça do Arruela. He stated that there was no one flying a kite in the area and believes that the line had come loose from a tree.

"I didn't imagine that the line would appear on the track out of nowhere. It was high up there, out of nowhere, it seems like the wind, it broke away from the tree and came towards my neck", said Natan.

In São João de Meriti, in Baixada Fluminense, motorcyclist Anderson Clayton was also hit by Chilean lines while traveling along Via Dutra. He was taken to the hospital and is doing well.

"I could see the line lowering on the track and it was enough to, with my left hand, try to prevent further damage, but I had already had a scratch on my neck. I managed to throw the bike to the side of the road to see what had happened", said Anderson.

One of the pieces of equipment used to reduce the risk of injury is the antenna installed on the front of motorcycles. The accessory is used to intercept lines that are in the path of conductors.

Despite the protection, not all motorcyclists use the equipment. Anyone who has witnessed accidents or been hit by lines draws attention to the importance of the antenna.

"The Chilean line, when it hits the jugular, there's nothing you can do. I've seen it myself and, because of that, I no longer ride without an antenna", said motorcyclist Caio Henrique.

In some stores, antennas can be found for between R$15 and R$30.

Municipal guard Heron de Magalhães also reported having been injured by a line.

"I've already suffered cuts to my glove and finger. And I tell everyone, my co-worker, I tell everyone to put at least two antennas in. I was lucky that it caught my finger," he said.