A truck overturned on Route 3 at kilometer 132, in the department of San José, on Monday morning. The accident left three of its four occupants injured, according to Highway Patrol sources.
According to the official report, the vehicle was traveling south-north when, for reasons still under investigation, it veered off the shoulder and struck a tree on the natural strip of road on the east side of the highway.
The driver, a 29-year-old man, suffered multiple injuries and was rushed to the San José Medical Association (AMSJ). Among the passengers, a 39-year-old man and two 45-year-old men were also injured, although their injuries were not considered serious, and they were taken to the same health center for treatment.
Investigation into why the truck overturned on Route 3
Highway Patrol officers and medical personnel worked at the scene of the accident. The initial hypothesis is that the truck lost control on a curve, although other possibilities such as mechanical failure or excessive speed have not been ruled out.
The road conditions were normal at the time of the accident , with no rain or reduced visibility. Residents in the area reported that traffic is usually heavy on that stretch, especially in the morning, when many commuters are commuting from San José to Montevideo.
The incident reignited the discussion about road safety on national highways, where traffic accidents involving trucks have been frequent in recent months. In July, a cargo vehicle lost part of its cargo when it overturned at the roundabout at Route 11 and Route 45.
Road safety and consequences of the accident
Specialists remind us that large trucks require longer braking distances and constant load monitoring. Poor adjustment or a sudden shift in weight can cause a vehicle of this type to lose stability.
The accident in San José adds to a worrying statistic: traffic accidents continue to be one of the leading causes of hospitalizations in the country. According to data from the National Road Safety Unit (Unasev), the departments with the most high- traffic roads have the highest rates of accidents with injuries.
The truck's occupants remain under medical observation. Meanwhile, the vehicle was removed from the roadway to restore normal traffic on the route, which was partially closed during the morning.
The case remains under investigation, and the Highway Patrol is awaiting the results of the mechanical tests and the driver's condition analysis to determine the exact cause of the crash.
More background and context
The accident that occurred Monday morning in San José was not an isolated incident. So far this year, Highway Patrol has responded to more than a dozen similar accidents on national highways, several of them involving trucks transporting agricultural and industrial products.
According to data from Unasev, in 2024, traffic accidents accounted for nearly 15% of serious accidents on national highways. While most do not result in fatalities, injuries and traffic disruptions generate significant costs for both the healthcare system and the regional economy.
In the case of Route 3, residents in the area reported that trucks frequently travel at high speeds, especially during the early morning hours, when there is less police control on the roads. Some pointed out that the road signs are worn in certain sections, which can affect drivers' maneuvers.
On the other hand, transportation unions have repeatedly called for a review of drivers' work hours. Many workers complain that the long hours and additional odd jobs force them to spend excessive hours behind the wheel, which increases fatigue and increases the likelihood of accidents. "Sometimes we work while we're sleepy because we have to scrape together money to make ends meet," said one truck driver, interviewed by a local radio station.
At the same time, Ministry of Transportation officials announced that resurfacing work will begin on some sections of Route 3 in the coming months, with the goal of improving road safety and reducing accidents. They are also considering installing more speed cameras, a measure that has already shown positive results on other routes.
This latest accident in San José once again puts the need to strengthen road safety measures on the public agenda. For the local population, every accident is a reminder that traveling on the roads can become a daily risk. The investigation into the causes of the rollover at kilometer 132 will continue, but the incident has already raised questions about how to prevent similar incidents from happening again in the future.
