Accident between a classic car and a tourist vehicle at a central corner in El Vedado leaves two injured

A collision that occurred at the intersection of Línea and Paseo in El Vedado once again highlighted the deterioration of Havana's road system, the lack of effective signage, and the absence of traffic officers at critical points during the frequent blackouts affecting the capital.

According to the report by Alejandro V. Chassagne in the group Facebook "Automobile Accidents in Cuba and Information on the Road", the accident occurred while the traffic light was off.

A rental car (tur) crossed Línea from Paseo without respecting the stop sign and collided with the rear of a classic car that was properly traveling along Avenida Línea.

As a result of the collision, the driver of the private vehicle lost control and ended up crashing into the pole of the traffic light.

Both the driver and their passenger were taken to the hospital.

The incident was also reported in the Facebook group "ACCIDENTES BUSES & CAMIONES for more experience and fewer victims!" by the user Ernesto Rodríguez.

The images shared in both posts show severe damage to the body of the almendrón on its rear and side, evidence of the force of the impact.

A witness stated that the accident occurred shortly after 8:00 PM, at which point there was no longer any personnel regulating traffic in the area.

Citizen outrage: recklessness, high speed, and traffic lights out

Comments on social media reflected a mix of helplessness, accusations, and complaints about what many see as a dangerous combination of state negligence and lack of traffic discipline.

"There's always someone reckless; when the traffic lights are out, extra precautions should be taken," wrote a user, noting that in Havana it is common to encounter traffic lights that are off due to power outages and lack of maintenance.

Others pointed out the excessive speed of the rental car: "Aside from the stop sign, there is courtesy, and intersections like that shouldn't be crossed at 50 km/h. That impact is not from 50."

Repeatedly, several internet users emphasized the responsibility of the bus driver, whom they accuse of recklessness for not yielding the right of way.

"That guy must have been going really fast, way over the speed limit. Now he should pay for the damages," wrote a woman.

"The city without power and the intersections without police... it's total chaos."

Among the most repeated comments were complaints about the absence of traffic agents at an intersection known for its heavy vehicle flow.

In a context of prolonged blackouts, citizens emphasized that leaving significant intersections without electricity and without police presence constitutes a dangerous negligence.

"While acknowledging the drivers' fault, one cannot normalize the malfunctioning of traffic lights without a police officer to manage traffic. The government's negligence is appalling," wrote a resident in Havana.

Another user argued that the responsibility also lies with the officials who fail to anticipate alternative measures.

"Those who did not arrange for a police officer to manage traffic are indeed responsible. If an official were penalized every time a traffic light is out without an officer controlling it, things would be different," he stated.

A self-employed person added a sharp criticism: "How many traffic lights are there without power... and on the other corner, there’s the little horse stopping people to see who he can shake down for a light bulb."

In response to the accusations, some emphasized individual responsibility: "The law clarifies what to do when a traffic light is not working. The responsibility is ours to stay alert and be disciplined," wrote a parent.

"The light is not the cause of the current. What are the vertical signals for? It's that drivers don't want to respect the right of way," emphasized a resident of Matanzas.

The same story as always

The accident at Línea and Paseo is not an isolated incident but rather a reflection of a repeated pattern: blackouts that leave traffic lights nonfunctional, a lack of officers at critical points, vehicles speeding, and a deteriorated vehicle fleet.

Social media once again became the space where citizens report, debate, and denounce what state institutions rarely acknowledge: that urban mobility in Havana is deteriorating at an accelerated rate, and that the consequences—like this recent accident—are borne by the population.