A tragic traffic accident claimed the life of one individual this Thursday in Santo Domingo, a municipality in the province of Villa Clara. The incident was highlighted on the Facebook group "Accidentes Automovilísticos en Cuba," where user Javier Valdés uploaded photos depicting the vehicle completely wrecked.
"Another tragic accident today on the central highway, near the old 26 de Julio sugar mill. The result: one fatality," Valdés reported. The images suggest the vehicle involved was a Peugeot 301, typically rented to tourists, although the license plate wasn't visible.
According to a group member, the car collided with a tree, not another vehicle. Another user mentioned that the car was rented by a Cuban residing in the United States, who was visiting San Diego del Valle, a locality in the municipality of Cifuentes.
Many online commenters speculated that excessive speed was the primary cause of the accident, exacerbated by the poorly maintained road conditions. "If it had been traveling at 60 km/h, the car wouldn't be in such a state. Speed was the killer here," one commenter emphasized. Another from Granma province added, "For the car to be in that condition, it must have been going over 120 km/h."
Driver Negligence Remains a Leading Cause of Accidents
This week, a report from the police underscored drivers as the main culprits in traffic accidents across Cuba, based on an evaluation of the causes of road incidents in 2024. The primary cause identified was the failure to maintain proper control over the vehicle, followed by violations of traffic right-of-way and speeding.
Colonel Roberto Rodríguez Fernández, head of the Specialized Traffic Authority, noted a decrease in the number of accidents, fatalities, and injuries in 2024. There were 7,507 incidents reported (a 12% reduction from 2023), resulting in 634 fatalities (a 13% decrease) and 6,613 injuries (down by 4%).
The official pointed out that not paying adequate attention to vehicle control accounted for 30% of the accidents. While incidents from failing to yield the right-of-way decreased, they still resulted in the highest number of deaths at 29.9%. Although accidents due to speeding, along with related fatalities and injuries, have diminished, this factor "remains extremely hazardous, with each accident leading to at least one injury and every seven incidents causing a fatality."
Understanding Traffic Accidents in Cuba
What are the main causes of traffic accidents in Cuba?
The primary causes of traffic accidents in Cuba include lack of attention when driving, violations of right-of-way, and excessive speed.
How have traffic accidents changed in Cuba in 2024?
In 2024, there was a decrease in traffic accidents, fatalities, and injuries, with a 12% reduction in incidents and a 13% decrease in deaths compared to 2023.