Cuban drivers have taken to social media to voice their grievances about power outages that leave traffic lights dark, creating chaotic situations that sometimes result in fatal traffic accidents.
In the midst of an energy crisis of massive proportions, the Cuban population is seeing most of their daily routines disrupted. The power outages not only affect life inside homes but also impact transportation and the safety of Cubans while on the move.
Facebook groups dedicated to accidents, social media posts, and comments highlight a growing sense of insecurity among Cuban drivers and pedestrians who see the disappearance of traffic signals from their urban landscapes.
"Super dangerous, ladies and gentlemen. Drivers, be careful: The intersection at 100 and 51 is without power. Traffic lights are out, and the worst part is there's no police presence," warned a Cuban in the group Accidentes Buses & Camiones.
His complaint highlighted not only the lack of electricity for the proper functioning of the traffic lights but also the indifference of the authorities who do not deploy police units from the Specialized Transit Department of the National Revolutionary Police (PNR).
Two other posts in the same group showed accidents that occurred at the same corner in the Cuban capital, both caused by the traffic chaos brought on by power outages at the dangerous intersection of Avenida 31 and Calle 42.
In one incident, a collision occurred between an almendrón (a 1950s American-made car) and a Lada from the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR). In the other, the accident involved a motorcycle and a bus, and according to comments on the post, the motorcyclist was seriously injured.
"There are a ton of traffic lights out and no police. I think if they have the power outage schedule, they should assign police to all dangerous intersections," commented a user on one of the posts.
"It's terrible with the traffic lights out. There are fewer accidents than you'd expect," said another. "I passed through that traffic light during one of the many outages in that area, and the officer was under the tree at 31 and 42... Taking shade! The traffic light was out, cars were on their own, and he was taking shade! It was very sunny, and he couldn't risk sunstroke!" another user recounted with irony.
"It's becoming a habit. Yesterday, the traffic light at 31 and 41, in Ceguera, was out. While drivers were doing acrobatics to cross without scratches, there was a motorized officer catching the taxi drivers. If the power outage schedule is known, at least assign the necessary traffic agents to avoid accidents," one netizen pointed out.
"It's incredible. The law says if you ride without a helmet, you can get a 12-point fine (supposedly for your safety). And the potholes and unlit traffic lights, who are they protecting?" another asked.
Recently, a video shared on social media caused a stir, showing a car accident at the corner of Avenida G and Calle 17 in Vedado, Havana, where the traffic light was not working due to a power outage.
Images captured by a security camera in the area showed the collision of two vehicles speeding without regard for the right of way. The strong impact caused head injuries to one of the drivers involved and nearly had serious consequences for several pedestrians present at the mentioned corner.
In early April, Colonel Roberto Rodríguez Fernández, head of the Specialized Transit Department of the PNR, stated that motorized units were stationed at critical points in the city to help with traffic flow and safety following the closure of the Bay Tunnel for maintenance work.
The measures taken in that case serve as a reference for the demands of Cuban drivers regarding power outages and dark traffic lights. At the very least, authorities should anticipate these issues and reinforce traffic safety with specialized agents during outages.
Impact of Power Outages on Traffic Safety in Cuba
Given the frequent power outages in Cuba, drivers and pedestrians are increasingly concerned about traffic safety. Below are some key questions and answers that shed light on this critical issue.
Why are traffic lights in Cuba frequently unlit?
Traffic lights in Cuba are often unlit due to widespread power outages resulting from the country's severe energy crisis.
How do power outages affect traffic safety in Cuba?
Power outages lead to unlit traffic signals, causing chaotic traffic conditions and increasing the risk of accidents, some of which may be fatal.
What measures are being demanded by Cuban drivers to improve traffic safety during power outages?
Cuban drivers are calling for the deployment of traffic police at major intersections during power outages to manage traffic and prevent accidents.