A peculiar accident occurred this Tuesday in Havana when a fuel truck collided with a small car, crushed a motorcycle, and crashed into a masonry pole in Central Havana.
Fortunately, despite the severity of the accident and the images that circulated, the incident is reported to have caused only material damage, according to social media reports.
"In Oquendo and Sitio, Centro Habana. According to what I heard, the tanker truck was parked and had issues with its emergency brake, causing it to roll and collide with a small car, a motorcycle, and an electric pole," noted an internet user while reporting the incident in the Facebook group Accidents Buses & Trucks.
"There were no injuries to people, only property damage," he added.
"Total responsibility of the driver," wrote the administrator of the Facebook group Automobile Accidents in Cuba.
The images show a Chinese truck, which some internet users claim is at most two years old, with damage to the front after colliding with a post.
However, judging by the images, the worst damage was suffered by a motorcycle that appeared to be parked and ended up completely underneath the front wheels of the heavy vehicle.
In the case of the polaquito, the photos reveal that it sustained damage to the rear.
The incident has sparked a wide-ranging discussion on social media, with many Cubans assuming the role of experts, drawing on their knowledge of traffic laws in Cuba and what is advisable when operating this type of vehicle.
Despite some internet users coming to the driver's defense, arguing about the numerous issues he might be facing, most agreed that this was an avoidable mistake, even if the truck had technical problems.
"Negligence cannot be justified by personal issues. If every Cuban worked while burdened by all their problems, the population would already be extinct. We need to respect our fellow professionals," stated a driver who challenged the argument of stress.
Others took the opportunity to rant against the "piperos," some of whom claim to drive with a certain arrogance on the road.
"That's normal; those people are always in a hurry, thinking they own the streets. Anyone can have a technical failure, but just look at how those loud cars are driving around. There's one, a blue V8, who thinks he's Toretto, making a huge noise and always speeding until he gets a scare one day," stated a commentator.
"Poor guy with the pipe, he won't have enough money to pay for the engine repairs and the little Polish car," someone remarked.
"The driver is responsible for the damages incurred, even if the emergency had a malfunction. He should have set a speed and turned the tires against the curb to prevent movement," pointed out one of the many commentators who acted as experts.
"Don't come now with the argument that this happens to anyone; that's a new truck. Until people in this country are held accountable for these mistakes, either with prison time or fines, it won't stop. There are countless ways to prevent a truck from moving, even if it loses power," another added.
Another person lashed out at someone who defended the driver: "If you really know how to drive, you know there are many ways to park the truck without having to rely on the emergency brake, and it will never move. Don’t try to defend the indefensible."
Lack of experience, human error, and negligence were other arguments used by some of those who expressed their opinions.
"What matters is that there were no injuries or loss of life. As for the damage to the truck, I'm sure the driver will take responsibility, like all of us who drive state vehicles in this country, where we receive very little assurance from the state companies," stated a woman.
At the time of this report, there are no further details available about the incident.
Cuban authorities stated in early July that in the first half of 2024, the country recorded 543 fewer incidents compared to the same period the previous year.
In the official television program Mesa Redonda, Colonel Roberto Rodríguez Fernández, head of the Specialized Traffic Organ of the Ministry of Interior (MININT), also reported that there were 81 fewer fatalities (23%) and a reduction of 151 injuries (5%) between January and June of this year, compared to the same period in 2023.
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