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A vehicle collided with a utility pole in front of the Mantilla cinema, in the Arroyo Naranjo municipality of Havana, with no immediate reports of human injuries.
This was reflected by the internet user Radimir Galán Rodríguez in the Facebook group ACCIDENTS BUSES & TRUCKS for more experience and fewer victims!
According to the comments on the post, the incident is said to have occurred during the night of Friday the 25th.
Another user reported that after several hours, the car was still “just sitting there.” It was also noteworthy that “there isn’t even a police officer around, and the car doesn’t have a license plate.”
As of now, there is no official confirmation regarding the exact causes of the accident or any potential damage to the electrical infrastructure or injuries to third parties.
In early June, an official car crashed into a pole during a nighttime blackout in Santiago de Cuba. The vehicle, owned by the municipal government (Poder Popular), was driven by the driver of the Mayor of San Luis, who was traveling with his girlfriend.
In May, a driver lost control of his vehicle after falling asleep and crashed into a utility pole in La Timba, a neighborhood in the Plaza de la Revolución municipality of Havana, according to citizen reports circulated on social media.
Despite the implementation of control measures, road accidents remain a critical issue in Cuba. The government continues to blame human factors while avoiding addressing structural causes such as the deterioration of the roads, the lack of adequate signage, and the public transport crisis, which forces many to use risky means of transportation.
In January, the government identified drivers as the main responsible parties for traffic accidents, while evaluating the causes of road incidents during 2024.
Failing to pay adequate attention to vehicle control was the main cause of traffic accidents last year, followed by disregarding the right of way and speeding, according to a report from the Specialized Traffic Body of the General Directorate of the Revolutionary National Police (PNR). In its report on traffic accidents during 2023, the Cuban government attributed 91% of the incidents to human factors.
The consumption of alcoholic beverages and the violation of traffic laws are also frequent causes of traffic accidents. Additionally, there is a need to reinforce both the mandatory breaks for professional drivers and the structural maintenance of bridges and road signage in high-risk areas.
These factors are compounded by the widespread deterioration of old cars still on the roads in Cuba, along with the poor condition of the highways, a combination that proves deadly and contributes to the increasingly lethal accidents being reported in the country.
The Cuban government has acknowledged that 75% of the country’s roads and circulation routes are in a technical condition ranging from fair to poor. This situation poses a significant challenge for the government, as it directly impacts the quality of life for citizens and the provision of essential services.
Frequently Asked Questions about Road Accidents in Cuba
What are the main causes of traffic accidents in Cuba?
The main causes of traffic accidents in Cuba are distractions while driving, failure to yield the right of way, and speeding. The poor condition of roads and vehicles, as well as the lack of road maintenance, also significantly contribute to the high accident rate in the country. Additionally, the consumption of alcoholic beverages and driver fatigue are factors that exacerbate this issue.
How does the condition of the roads affect traffic safety in Cuba?
The condition of the roads in Cuba severely impacts road safety, as 75% of them are in fair to poor technical condition. This poses a significant challenge to the safety of drivers and the general population, as the deterioration of the roads contributes to the occurrence of accidents. The lack of proper signage and the poor state of the vehicle fleet are also factors that complicate the situation.
What measures has the Cuban government implemented to reduce traffic accidents?
The Cuban government has implemented measures such as imposing fines, revoking driving licenses, and conducting technical inspections to reduce traffic accidents. However, these measures have not effectively addressed structural causes such as poor road conditions and lack of road maintenance. Despite these actions, accidents continue to be a critical issue in Cuba.
What has been the trend of traffic accidents in Cuba in 2025?
During the first quarter of 2025, traffic accidents in Cuba decreased in number, but fatalities rose. There were 1,738 accidents reported, a reduction of 144 compared to the same quarter of the previous year, but the fatalities increased to 173, which is 27 more than in the same period of 2024. This trend highlights the need for more effective measures to improve road safety in the country.
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