In the early hours of Tuesday, a car accident on Cuba's National Highway in Villa Clara province left a driver hospitalized with injuries severe enough to require surgery. The incident took place between kilometers 251 and 252, as reported by a Facebook group dedicated to road safety in Cuba.
According to a post by Hander Rodríguez del Río, the driver was alone in the vehicle when it veered off the road and crashed into a tree. Due to the severity of the collision, the driver sustained injuries that necessitated surgical intervention. As of this writing, the injured person's current health status remains unknown.
Severe Damage and Speculations
The front end of the vehicle, which appears to be a Chinese-made Geely—a brand commonly seen in Cuba—was heavily damaged, while the tree trunk also bore marks from the impact. The exact cause of the accident is unclear, but some online speculators suggested that the driver might have fallen asleep or blamed the poor condition of the roadways, which have been a contributing factor in numerous accidents recently.
Decline in Traffic Accidents Reported
Official statistics indicate a 13% decrease in traffic accidents during the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, with 543 fewer incidents reported. The Specialized Traffic Authority at the Ministry of Interior (MININT) highlighted that driver distractions are the leading cause of accidents in the country.
Data from the first half of the year shows that drivers were responsible for 52% of accidents, 75% of fatalities, and 55% of injuries. These figures underscore the critical need for improved road safety measures and awareness among drivers in Cuba.