A tragic accident occurred on Thursday afternoon on the Holguín bypass, resulting in the death of a motorbike driver. Witnesses on social media reported that the incident happened when a truck overturned while trying to avoid a motorbike that had veered into its lane.
According to eyewitness accounts, the motorbike swerved into the path of the truck. To avert a collision, the truck driver made a sudden maneuver, losing control and overturning off the road. The Facebook group "ACCIDENTES BUSES & CAMIONES por más experiencia y menos víctimas!" confirmed the details of the incident.
While the truck driver sustained only minor injuries, the motorbike driver, reportedly a resident of the Cayo de Mayabe area, succumbed to injuries shortly after the accident.
Comments from those who witnessed or discussed the event pointed to the poor road conditions and lack of traffic education as ongoing contributors to traffic accidents. "The road is full of potholes; it's no wonder accidents happen," one user remarked. Others highlighted the recklessness of inexperienced or unlicensed drivers and the presence of motorbikes, tricycles, and horse-drawn carts on the city's main roads. "There's no respect on the roads in Holguín," lamented another user.
This accident underscores the increasing number of traffic incidents in Cuba, particularly in urban areas where heavy vehicles, electric motorbikes, and animal-drawn transport share poorly maintained roads without proper regulation.
Accidents involving vulnerable vehicles such as pedicabs, motorcycles, and electric tricycles have become alarmingly common as the use of these transport modes has risen. On Sunday, a head-on collision between two motorcycles in Tacajó, Holguín, resulted in the death of one driver and injuries to the two passengers on the other bike.
Last Friday, another crash in Holguín, in the town of Santa Teresa, left 10 people injured. Late in September, an electric tricycle fell from the Viaduct bridge in Matanzas, injuring eight, including two minors. Days earlier, a collision between two motorcycles in Central Havana led to one death and several severe injuries.
In a comparable incident in Santiago de Cuba, a motorbike carrying three people, including an infant, ignored a stop sign and collided with another motorbike. The infant and mother were immediately transported to a hospital for medical care.
On September 27, a semi-truck collided with a motorbike on Vía Blanca near Barrio Obrero in Havana. Earlier, on September 12, an accident in Boca de Miel, Baracoa, claimed the life of cardiologist Edy Abreu Guzmán, 58, who initially survived his motorbike crash but died later from his injuries.
The Cuban government has acknowledged that 75% of the country's roads are in fair to poor condition. This situation poses a significant challenge for the communist regime, as it directly impacts citizens' quality of life and the provision of essential services.
Recently, residents of Sagua la Grande in Villa Clara province took to social media to report the dire state of a road section that resembles a quake zone, highlighting the neglect of infrastructure across the island.
Key Issues in Cuban Traffic Accidents
What caused the recent accident on the Holguín bypass?
The accident occurred when a motorbike veered into the path of a truck, causing the truck driver to lose control and overturn while trying to avoid a collision.
Why are traffic accidents increasing in Cuba?
The rise in accidents is attributed to poor road conditions, lack of traffic education, and the mix of different types of vehicles on inadequately maintained roads.
What are the government's challenges in addressing road safety in Cuba?
The government faces the challenge of improving road conditions and traffic regulation to enhance safety, which is crucial for the quality of life and essential services in Cuba.