Havana, August 15 (RHC), -– Cuba reported 5,000 car accidents in the first half of 2014, and although the number of accidents decreased by 109 compared to a similar period in 2013, experts said the decrease is insignificant and described the issue as an epidemic.

The number of deaths from car accidents increased to 347, eighteen over the figure reported last year to date. And experts said the number of injured amounted to 4,365, including drivers of cars, pick-ups, buses, motorbikes, bicycles, trucks, vans, and even tractors.

Increasing accident levels were reported in the eastern provinces of Holguin and Santiago de Cuba, while the national report said that in every 16 accidents, one life was lost.

Major causes were the lack of vehicle control, excess of speed, disregard of traffic signals, and irresponsibility of pedestrians, among others such as driving under the influence of alcohol and technical failures.