Motorcyclist Jumps to Avoid Cerol String in Santos

A motorcyclist in Santos, São Paulo, sustained serious injuries after jumping from her bike to avoid a dangerous cerol string. The incident occurred on December 28 along the city's waterfront.

The rider, identified as Alessandra Campos, suffered fractured ribs and neck injuries. She stated that the decision to jump prevented a fatal outcome. The string was reportedly strung between a tree and a post.

Following the accident, local authorities confirmed their ongoing efforts to combat the use of these illegal strings. The Civil Guard (GCM) conducts patrols and seizures, while the municipal government runs educational initiatives regarding kite safety.

A 51-year-old woman, Alessandra Campos, was forced to abandon her motorcycle on December 28 to avoid a potentially fatal injury. While driving at approximately 30 km/h along the waterfront in Santos, she was struck in the neck by a cerol string.

The string was stretched across the roadway, suspended between a tree and a street post. To prevent a deep cut, Campos jumped from the moving vehicle. She fell onto the asphalt, sustaining injuries from the impact.

Campos later described the event as an "absurdity," crediting her quick reaction for her survival. She stated, "If I hadn't done this, I would have died."

She was attended to at the scene by the Military Police and the Guarda Civil Municipal (GCM). Despite initial treatment at a local emergency room, she required further care at the Santa Casa de Santos hospital due to persistent chest pain.

The fall resulted in multiple injuries for Alessandra Campos. She suffered burns on her skin due to contact with the hot asphalt during the incident.

Medical examinations later revealed that she had fractured two ribs. Unlike limb fractures, rib injuries typically cannot be casted. Campos noted that she is currently working slowly and waiting for the bones to heal naturally.

She described her condition as follows: "I am working slowly because I have no other choice. The rib doesn't get cast or anything. Now I have to wait for it to heal."

The use of cerol—a mixture of glue and glass powder used to strengthen kite strings—is strictly prohibited in the state of São Paulo.

Under State Law 17.201/2019, the possession, manufacture, commercialization, and importation of these strings are illegal. This ban applies to strings originating from countries like China and Indonesia, which are commonly used for kite flying.

Violators of this law face significant penalties. The local municipality has established fines ranging up to R$ 1,630.00 for the irregular use of kites and strings.

The Prefeitura de Santos (City Hall) issued a statement confirming that the GCM was present at the scene of Campos' accident. The administration emphasized that the GCM actively patrols the city to enforce the ban on cerol.

Patrols utilize quadricycles to cover the full extent of the beach sand. Officers inspect individuals flying kites to check for illegal strings, leading to immediate seizure if found.

Statistics from 2025 highlight the scale of enforcement:

• 31 calls received regarding cerol kites
• 330 spools of cerol string seized
• 340 kites confiscated

Beyond enforcement, the Secretaria Municipal de Educação (Seduc) partners with organizations like CPFL Energia, the Military Police, and the Fire Brigade to educate students. This decade-long project reached over 7,000 students in 2025 alone, teaching them to act as multipliers of safety awareness regarding kite usage.