US issues warning on driving in Cuba

Posted on Friday, 06.28.13



US issues warning on driving in Cuba

BY JUAN O. TAMAYO

JTAMAYO@ELNUEVOHERALD.COM



The U.S. diplomatic mission in Havana issued a warning Friday that

traffic accidents involving U.S. citizens are on the rise, and noted

that seven Americans are currently unable to leave the island because of

such accidents.



"We urge you to take extra safety precautions when driving to avoid

problems during your stay in Cuba," the mission, officially the U.S.

Interests Section, said in English and Spanish-language statements

posted on its Web page and sent to journalists.



Two U.S. citizens were jailed for accident-related offenses during

recent months, two others are under house arrest and three more are not

being allowed to leave the island because of accident-related offenses,

according to the statement.



Prison sentences for car accidents can run up to 10 years, the statement

noted, and witnesses and even some people who require emergency medical

treatment abroad have been forced to remain in Cuba while their cases

are investigated.



"Unconfirmed reports suggest that accidents involving motor vehicles are

now the leading cause of accidental death in Cuba," the warning said,

going on to list a long series of problems with the country's streets

and highways.



Highways lack lights and "night driving should be strictly avoided

outside urban areas," it said, while secondary roads are narrow, in bad

condition and used by "pedestrians, bicycles, horse-drawn carts and farm

equipment" as well as livestock.



In cities, many streets are not lit, some cars and most bicycles lack

running lights or reflectors and signage "tends to be insufficient and

confusing." Many Cuban cars are old and lack turn signals, the statement

added.



Source: "US issues warning on driving in Cuba - Cuba - MiamiHerald.com"

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http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/06/28/3475911/us-issues-warning-on-driving.html