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The year 2025 began with a decrease in the number of traffic accidents in Cuba compared to January of the previous year; however, the number of fatalities increased.
Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, Minister of Transport, reported on Facebook that by the end of January, there were 87 fewer accidents (422) and two fewer injuries (552) compared to the same period in 2024.
However, the head of the ministry stated that the number of fatalities has increased, reaching 65 deceased, six more than in 2024.
The report details that Granma, Sancti Spíritus, and Las Tunas recorded an increase in the number of accidents, while Ciego de Ávila and Camagüey saw a rise in the number of fatalities and injuries. Havana was the only province where all three indicators decreased.
In addition, during January, five serious accidents were reported, resulting in 19 deaths and 173 injuries, mostly among young people aged 21 to 35, making up 30%, and those under 18, accounting for 10%.
According to the minister, it is noteworthy that 80% of these incidents occurred in rural areas, on well-maintained roads and under favorable weather conditions, reinforcing the hypothesis that human error is the primary trigger.
The most common type of accident remains vehicle collisions, with 260 cases, 28 fatalities, and 226 injuries. This is followed by rollovers, with 67 accidents, 13 deaths, and 125 injuries, as well as pedestrian accidents, with 66 incidents, 9 fatalities, and 63 injuries.
The latter is considered the most dangerous, as an average of two accidents occur each day in the country, and every six days, one person dies as a result, primarily in urban areas of Havana, Holguín, and Santiago de Cuba.
One of the factors that has contributed to the increase in lethality is the involvement of public transportation in serious accidents, which has resulted in a higher number of fatal victims in a single event.
Rodríguez emphasized that the human factor remains the leading cause of accidents in Cuba, with alarming figures: 92% of accidents, 98% of fatalities, and 91% of injuries.
Among the most common offenses are lack of attention while driving, failure to yield the right of way, speeding, using a cellphone while driving, and consuming alcohol.
However, the Minister of Transport avoided mentioning the poor condition of the roads and the state-owned vehicle fleet, factors that also contribute to accidents but are not typically acknowledged in official reports.
One of the most concerning facts is the high involvement of motorcycles and mopeds, which accounted for 47.2% of accidents and 35% of fatalities and injuries.
The main causes of these accidents include right-of-way violations, distractions, and improper overtaking, as well as the lack of driver's licenses among many motorcyclists.
The provinces with the highest incidence of motorcycle accidents were Havana, Holguín, Granma, and Villa Clara.
In response to the situation, the government has reinforced road controls, imposing 9,559 fines, 41% of which were for serious violations such as running stop signs, traffic lights, improper overtaking, and not wearing seat belts.
A total of 2,214 driving licenses were revoked, and 15,113 technical inspections were conducted, with deficiencies identified in 29% of the vehicles checked.
Despite the implementation of control measures, road accidents remain a critical problem in Cuba.
The government continues to blame the human factor while avoiding addressing structural issues such as the deterioration of roads, the lack of proper signage, and the public transportation crisis, which forces many to use risky means of transport.
In January, the Cuban government identified drivers as the main responsible parties for traffic accidents in Cuba, when assessing the causes of road incidents in the country during 2024.
Failing to pay adequate attention to vehicle control was the main cause of traffic accidents last year, followed by disregarding right of way and speeding, according to a report from the Specialized Traffic Body of the General Directorate of the Revolutionary National Police (PNR).
Colonel Roberto Rodríguez Fernández, head of that police department, stated that in 2024 there was a decrease in the number of accidents, fatalities, and injuries compared to the previous year. Although they decreased by 12%, there were a total of 7,507 accidents, resulting in 634 fatalities (13% fewer) and 6,613 injuries (a 4% decrease), reported the official newspaper Granma.
According to the official, failing to properly attend to the operation of the vehicle caused 30% of accidents. Although incidents due to not respecting the right of way were reduced, these occurrences recorded the highest number of fatalities, at 29.9%.
In its report on road accidents during 2023, the Cuban government attributed 91% of the incidents to human factors.
In a previous report covering the period from January to October 2023, the Police highlighted speeding and alcohol consumption as the main causes of accidents during that time, along with the resulting fatalities and injuries.
Precisely, the authorities attributed “human error” to the tragic collision of two worker transport buses that occurred this Monday on the road linking the city of Morón with Isla de Turiguanó in Ciego de Ávila, which resulted in the loss of six lives and injuries to 59 others.
Frequently Asked Questions about Road Accidents in Cuba in 2025
Has there been a decrease in the number of traffic accidents in Cuba in 2025?
In January 2025, there was a reduction of 87 accidents compared to the same month in 2024, with a total of 422 accidents reported. However, despite the decrease in the number of accidents and injuries, the number of fatalities increased.
What is the main cause of traffic accidents in Cuba during 2025?
The human factor continues to be the main cause of accidents in Cuba, with alarming statistics indicating that 92% of accidents, 98% of fatalities, and 91% of injuries are attributable to human errors. Among the most common violations are lack of attention while driving, disregard for right of way, and speeding.
Why, despite fewer accidents, have the fatalities increased in Cuba?
One of the reasons for the increase in the lethality of accidents in 2025 is the involvement of public transportation in serious accidents, which results in a higher number of fatalities in a single event. In January 2025, there were 65 deaths recorded, six more than in the same period of 2024.
Which provinces in Cuba have reported the most accidents and casualties in 2025?
In January 2025, the provinces of Granma, Sancti Spíritus, and Las Tunas reported an increase in the number of accidents. Ciego de Ávila and Camagüey saw a rise in the number of fatalities and injuries, while Havana was the only province where all three indicators decreased.
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