Bus Accident in Cuba: Yutong Bus Strikes Pedestrian in Ciego de Ávila

This past Monday, a Yutong bus from the National Bus Service, operating from Santa Clara and on its Morón-Santa Clara route, was involved in a collision with a pedestrian in the town of Jicotea, located in Ciego de Ávila province. The accident, reported by a user on the Facebook group Accidentes Buses & Camiones, occurred around 2:30 p.m. when the pedestrian unexpectedly stepped onto the road without noticing the approaching bus. The injured man was taken to the hospital, although there is no update on his current condition.

Debate Over Pedestrian Responsibility

The incident has sparked a heated discussion about the accountability of pedestrians in road accidents in Cuba. Many online commenters have pointed out that the negligence of some pedestrians is an ongoing issue. Drivers often express frustration at being blamed even when pedestrians disregard traffic laws. "People don't value their lives; there are still irresponsible pedestrians on the road," one user commented. Another added, "It's become common for people to walk in the street or on the highway, even with wide sidewalks available. They get annoyed if you honk at them."

Witnesses to the event mentioned that the man attempted to cross immediately after a truck passed, failing to notice the bus. "The man darted across the road just as a truck went by and didn't see the bus," a user explained, providing further insight into the accident.

Concerns Over Traffic Discipline

Participants in the discussion also raised concerns about the absence of enforcement against traffic violations. "The level of indiscipline is overwhelming, and neither law enforcement nor public officials take action against pedestrians, cyclists, cart drivers, and bicitaxi operators who ignore traffic rules," one driver stated. Another user called for caution among drivers, saying, "Let's slow down and prioritize safety—our families are waiting for us at home."

Accident Statistics in Cuba

Recently, the Minister of Transportation, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, shared on Facebook that by the end of January, there were 87 fewer accidents reported (422) and two fewer injuries (552) compared to the same period in 2024. However, the number of fatalities rose, with 65 deaths recorded, six more than in the equivalent period of 2024.

The most common type of accident remains vehicle collisions, with 260 incidents resulting in 28 deaths and 226 injuries. These are followed by rollovers, which account for 67 accidents, 13 deaths, and 125 injuries, and pedestrian accidents, with 66 incidents leading to 9 deaths and 63 injuries. On average, two pedestrian accidents occur daily in Cuba, and one person dies from such incidents every six days, particularly in urban areas of Havana, Holguín, and Santiago de Cuba.

Additionally, five severe accidents were reported in January, resulting in 19 deaths and 173 injuries, predominantly affecting young individuals aged 21 to 35, who make up 30% of the victims, and those under 18, who account for 10%. According to the minister, it's notable that 80% of these accidents happened in rural areas, on well-maintained roads with favorable weather conditions, suggesting that human error is the leading cause. Rodríguez highlighted that human factors are responsible for 92% of accidents, 98% of deaths, and 91% of injuries in Cuba.