Road maintenance is a problem. There are many potholes, often marked with a tree branch protruding from the hole, and uneven surfaces. Many municipalities have erected speedbumps that may be unpainted and unmarked. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and horsedrawn vehicles all pose hazards on even the most major routes. Travel after dark outside city centers is not recommended.
Dirt roads are the rule in non-urban areas.
These vary in quality and are often impassable in rainy weather. Passenger car traffic is normally safe, but truck and passenger bus hijacking, normally non-violent, erupts from time to time and place to place, more commonly in the Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo metropolitan areas. Most traffic accidents in Brazil are attributable to driver error, and caution should be exercised whether in a vehicle or on foot. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at tel. Americans living in or visiting Brazil are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy or Consulates in Brazil and obtain updated information on travel and security in Brazil.