They've gotten a BIT better in Sao Paulo these days... since they installed radar speed cameras about every 1/4 mile on virtually every road.
They still have a problem with the concept of "lanes" though.. :-(
LOL... The last time we travelled "South" was Colombia. We hired a driver for our family. I knew I was over my head from what I've seen before. What impresses me is how over the years we've seen the city drivers go from old beat up cars to nice, new compact vehicles. An impressive turnaround and sign of progress.
I'm glad to hear about Sao Paulo getting better. Had a lot of fun there, especially during carnaval. We stayed in Praia Grande but ranged from the city, Mongugua to Itaquitanduva (near Santos) which was a heck of a fun hike over a mud covered mountain.
If the trail is wet, you go up branco but arrive at the beach moreno - LOL! The trail is through the jungle. I saw the biggest spider I ever saw in my life at the head of the trail. I dubbed it a "Brasilian Turbo Spider". The dang thing had racing stripes. I was more astonished by that "living special effect" than the mind numbing poverty of the favela we walked through to get there!
More than once driving to and from the city, my buddy had individual bikers threatened to shoot him on the road while he was driving me through heavily congested traffic. The motorcycles cutting through the traffic like Kamikazees were setting off everyone. There didn't seem to be any rules or concerned about getting hit, although I'm pretty sure it happened frequently. I'd be great to think they've settled down.