Fatal Bus Accidents in Quintana Roo: Shocking Truth Behind Overworked Drivers

Transport drivers from Del Valle and Lipu companies are primarily responsible for numerous accidents in the Northern Zone of the State. The main causes of these accidents are excessive speed and fatigue from working long hours. These drivers work for 26 consecutive days before taking a four-day break. From January to August, these bus drivers, who transport hotel staff, have caused 22 accidents, resulting in fatalities and dozens of injuries. According to the Traffic Directorate, they have been involved in even more incidents, but in these cases, settlements were reached between the involved parties.

Of the major accidents reported this year, 10 were caused by Lipu drivers and 12 by Del Valle drivers. These accidents resulted in four and seven deaths respectively, along with dozens of injuries. Both tourist and federal transport companies employ similar work schedules; drivers work 26-day shifts of over 12 hours, followed by a four-day rest period. This grueling schedule leads to physical and mental exhaustion, which has tragically cost many people their lives.

Attempts were made to discuss the working conditions, staff training, and accident prevention measures with representatives from both companies. However, no official statements were provided. An anonymous Lipu employee admitted that severe fatigue often leads to drivers falling asleep at the wheel. Drivers are also pressured to reach their stops quickly to ensure hotel workers arrive on time. "Many of us drink energy drinks, cola, or coffee so we don't fall asleep," he revealed. He described his workday starting at 4:00 AM, taking a trip to Riviera Maya, and returning at 8:00 AM. He then eats before providing another service to the Hotel Zone at 10:00 AM. His workday ends around 11:00 PM, and after unloading his belongings at the bus depot, he gets home around 12:30 AM, sleeps for a few hours, and starts his workday again.

Several tragic accidents have occurred this year. On January 1st, a Del Valle driver lost control of his bus on the Los Cenotes Route in Puerto Morelos, becoming trapped and losing his life. On January 8th, another Del Valle vehicle veered off the Cancun-Puerto Morelos highway, injuring at least 12 people. On January 24th, another accident in the Costa Mujeres area resulted in multiple injuries. In April, a woman was hit by a truck driver and later died in the hospital. In May, three incidents occurred, including a collision with a tourist shuttle, a car driver losing his life after ramming into the back of a truck, and a young boy dying after the car he was traveling in crashed.