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A police patrol car hit the rear of a trailer on Thursday night in Havana, amid a light drizzle.
The accident occurred around 9:55 PM at the intersection of Calzada de Güines and Narcisa, just two blocks from the La Oncena police station, according to the internet user Mariana López in the Facebook group "ACCIDENTES BUSES & CAMIONES por más experiencia y menos víctimas!".
López shared a video of the moments following the accident, where the patrol car is seen completely wedged under the back end of the trailer—popularly known as "the Viking"—as an officer walks around it.
Despite the impact, the visible damage to the car does not seem severe, and traffic in the area continued as usual.
Comments from eyewitnesses and internet users quickly surfaced, generating divided opinions about who was responsible for the crash.
"The patrol collided with the trailer. The impact was from behind. 'How were those police officers coming? Under what conditions?' a user wondered."
A local resident noted that "it was drizzling, they probably tried to brake and bam, they crashed into the barrier."
Several people criticized the technical condition of the patrol cars: "None of those little cops are good drivers, and on top of that, those Ladas are junk; they're falling apart," one wrote.
Another commented that "they always find a way to blame the rastrero."
However, the user Pavel Herrera García, who claims to have witnessed the accident, provided a different account.
"I was passing by at that moment. The Lada went underneath the trailer. The trailer had no rear lights, neither brake lights nor position lights. It suddenly braked to turn left, and that's when that thing got stuck."
According to Herrera, fortunately no police officers were injured in the incident.
The case brings to light longstanding complaints about the poor technical conditions of both police vehicles and cargo trucks in Cuba, as well as the limited visibility and heightened risks that worsen during rain, especially in urban areas with insufficient lighting and signage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Traffic Accidents in Cuba
What happened in the accident between the police patrol and the truck in Havana?
A police patrol car collided with the rear of a trailer at the intersection of Calzada de Güines and Narcisa. Although the visible damage to the car does not seem severe, the incident has sparked divided opinions regarding the responsibility for the crash, with some witnesses suggesting that the trailer did not have rear lights and stopped abruptly.
What are the recurring criticisms regarding the conditions of vehicles in Cuba?
Recurrent criticisms focus on the poor technical conditions of both police vehicles and cargo trucks. Issues such as a lack of lights, inadequate brakes, and the deteriorated state of the Ladas used as patrol cars are mentioned. Furthermore, the adverse conditions of the roads and the absence of lighting and signage exacerbate the risks during rainy weather.
Why are accidents involving trailers so frequent in Cuba?
Rollover accidents involving trucks in Cuba are common due to mechanical failures, speeding, driver fatigue, and deficiencies in road infrastructure. These factors have been identified as a structural problem that requires urgent attention, as they pose a persistent risk to drivers and other road users.
What are the main causes of traffic accidents in Cuba?
The main causes of traffic accidents in Cuba include human error, poor vehicle conditions, and deficiencies in road infrastructure. Despite a decrease in the number of accidents, the number of fatalities has increased, highlighting the need to improve both road safety culture and the conditions of vehicles and roads.
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