Rain, steep grades, and speed: Dangers on Panama's Veraguas-Chiriquí highway stretch

The westernmost section of Panama's Inter-American Highway, connecting Veraguas and Chiriquí provinces, continues to be a high-risk area for drivers due to a persistent frequency of traffic accidents. A recent incident saw an articulated vehicle plunge off a cliff and catch fire, resulting in the driver's death. This event prompted an immediate response from emergency services in both provinces.

According to the Fire Department, 19 traffic accidents have been recorded in this specific sector in 2026 alone. Two of these incidents involved heavy-duty vehicles that subsequently caught fire. In response to these dangers, the Transit and Land Transport Authority (ATTT) is evaluating the implementation of stricter preventive measures at the most critical points.

Juan Guevara, the ATTT director in Veraguas, stated that the authority plans to identify accident hotspots to potentially improve horizontal and vertical signage. The goal is to make drivers more aware that they are traversing a perilous stretch of road. The risks extend beyond drivers and nearby residents; firefighters also face significant dangers when attending to accidents, particularly those involving heavy trucks, tankers, or vehicles carrying flammable materials.

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We are going to identify the areas where we have already marked some accidents with victims, to perhaps highlight the horizontal and vertical signage and make people aware that they are traveling through a dangerous stretch.

Factors contributing to the elevated risk include the constant flow of articulated trucks and tankers, steep curves and inclines, frequent rainfall, slippery pavement, and excessive speeding. While official statistics are not broken down by specific segments, authorities indicate a high concentration of accidents between San Lorenzo and El Viguí, near the border of Veraguas and Chiriquí. Accidents are also common on the access and exit routes of cities within the districts of David, Bugaba, Boquerón, Dolega, and Gualaca. José Jaramillo, from Traffic Operations, noted that some drivers travel at unsafe speeds, especially during heavy rain, with articulated vehicles frequently involved. Driver fatigue has also been identified as a potential contributing factor, leading to recommendations for drivers to take breaks every two hours.

Chiriquí province reports a high incidence of traffic accidents, with 37 fatalities recorded so far in 2026 and over 7,000 accidents counted. Authorities are urging drivers to adhere to speed limits and maintain safe driving practices.

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They travel at unreasonable speeds, especially when heavy rains are falling. It strikes us that articulated vehicles are involved in many of these cases.