Early Thursday morning, a significant traffic collision occurred involving two trucks on the highway connecting the province of Las Tunas to Camagüey. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported, though the incident highlighted once again the dangers of driving under adverse conditions, specifically fog, which recently led to a tragic accident involving two buses in Ciego de Ávila.
Preliminary reports suggest that the dense fog, prevalent in the area over recent days, played a crucial role in the accident. Images shared on social media showed one of the trucks overturned on the highway. The overturned vehicle appeared to be carrying cargo—possibly beer—given the cans scattered across the ground. The other truck, also red, sustained significant front-end damage.
Reduced visibility, a hallmark of these weather conditions, requires drivers to maintain heightened caution and prudence. Earlier this week, it was reported that the investigation into a severe accident on Monday morning, involving two buses transporting state workers in Ciego de Ávila, concluded that the driver of the Yutong bus from the main municipality was at fault. This accident, on the Morón-Isla de Turiguanó road, initially resulted in six deaths (four at the scene and two in the hospital) and 59 injuries. By Tuesday, the death toll had risen to seven.
According to data from the National Commission of Road Safety, last year saw 7,507 traffic accidents, a 12% decrease from the 8,556 reported in 2023. Additionally, fatalities decreased by 13% (634), and injured individuals were 6,613, a 4% reduction compared to the previous year. Authorities stress that the main causes are driver violations, followed by poor road conditions due to lack of maintenance, and the aging vehicle fleet, averaging between 40 and 70 years old.
Despite these seemingly positive statistics, the reality is that January has been a particularly grim month on Cuban roads.
Understanding Traffic Risks in Cuba
What were the main causes of the recent truck accident on the Las Tunas to Camagüey highway?
The primary factor was the dense fog that significantly reduced visibility, leading to the collision.
How are Cuban authorities addressing road safety issues?
Authorities emphasize that driver violations, poor road maintenance, and an aging vehicle fleet are the main issues, and these need to be addressed to improve road safety.
What was the outcome of the investigation into the Ciego de Ávila bus accident?
The investigation found that the driver of the Yutong bus was responsible for the accident, which resulted in an increasing death toll of seven by Tuesday.