Mercedes Benz and Peugeot collide in Havana: The branches of a tree were obscuring the "Stop" sign

A traffic accident that occurred this Thursday at the intersection of 70th and 13th streets in the Playa municipality of Havana resulted in significant material damage, although no serious injuries were reported.

The accident involved a beige Mercedes Benz and a white Peugeot, which collided violently at the central intersection. Witnesses at the scene indicated that the branches of a tree partially obscured the "Stop" sign on 13th Street, which may have contributed to the collision.

The images show both vehicles with significant damage: the Peugeot ended up with the front completely destroyed, while the Mercedes Benz suffered damage to the left side. Remnants of the bodies were scattered along the road, according to images shared on the Facebook group ‘Accidentes Automovilísticos en Cuba’.

Residents of the area assert that this intersection is dangerous. “I went through there twice and there's very little signage; the most visible thing is the blinking light,” commented a user. Others pointed out the need for greater responsibility behind the wheel: “There are so many people driving these days who got their license at a party,” wrote a commenter.

The controversy over the cause of the collision sparked dozens of comments. Some blamed the lack of visibility of the sign, while others pointed out that Avenue 70 has the right of way. “The corner never rests; fortunately, this time there were no human lives lost,” remarked a user in the comments to the post.

Traffic accidents are one of the leading causes of death and injuries in Cuba. This fact highlights the need for better maintenance of signage and the trimming of trees that obstruct visibility, in order to prevent greater tragedies.

The dangerous Avenue 70 in Havana

Avenida 70, one of the busiest thoroughfares in the Playa municipality, has a history of traffic accidents that worries residents and drivers.

In August 2023, a driver lost control of their vehicle and crashed a Moskvitch into a streetlight pole in Playa, causing a great scare among the neighbors. And in February 2020, a female electric scooter rider suffered a severe blow in an accident on the same avenue.

The list also includes a crash that occurred in January 2020 between a Mercedes and a Moskvitch in Playa, which resulted in considerable material damage. All these incidents have reinforced the perception that Avenida 70 is a critical accident hotspot in Havana, due to its heavy traffic, the recklessness of many drivers, and the deficiencies in signage and road maintenance.