PHOTO / A column of 15 kilometers has formed on the A3

A major traffic jam has formed on Croatia’s A3 motorway following a collision involving a tanker truck, stretching over 15 kilometers. The incident occurred between the Križ and Popovača junctions, heading towards Lipovac, according to the latest reports from the Croatian Automobile Club (HAK). As of late evening on July 17, 2026, vehicles were queued along the stretch with limited movement, restricted to one lane due to the accident. Drivers are advised to exercise patience and maintain safe distances. The congestion was among the worst recorded on Croatian roads during the day, with the A3 motorway experiencing the most severe delays. According to HAK, the backlog extended approximately 15 kilometers, creating significant travel disruptions. The situation was exacerbated by the earlier morning collision, which involved a private car and a tanker truck. The tanker overturned after colliding with the passenger vehicle, blocking both lanes of traffic and causing a temporary halt in movement. Emergency services have been responding to the incident, with police conducting checks and removing one vehicle traveling at 80 kilometers per hour. The police confirmed that the initial report of the crash arrived around 9:10 a.m., and the collision took place on the southern lane of the motorway at the 86-kilometer mark. The overturned tanker disrupted traffic flow, forcing authorities to manage the scene and clear the road as quickly as possible. In addition to the A3 motorway, other sections of Croatia's main highways have experienced increased traffic. On the Zagreb bypass, particularly between the Kosnica and Zagreb East junctions heading toward Lipovac, drivers encountered slow-moving conditions. Similarly, near the Krka island route, traffic slowed down significantly around Omišlje. These incidents highlight the broader impact of the early morning collision, contributing to widespread delays across multiple routes. Authorities have urged motorists to remain cautious and keep a safe distance from surrounding vehicles. HAK noted that while some areas, such as the Lučko toll stations in both directions and the Demerje section heading toward Zagreb, showed no long waits, others, including the stretch between Karlovac and Bosiljevo 2 near the coast, experienced slower progress. Temporary queues formed in certain locations, accompanied by occasional stoppages. Further complications arose on the national roads, with two separate issues affecting traffic flow. In Trogir, near the Kaufland shopping center on DC409, a traffic accident required temporary regulation of the road. Additionally, ongoing works on DC1 between Gračac and Knin near Otrić caused further delays. These combined factors contributed to the overall disruption, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness among drivers. As the situation evolved throughout the afternoon, the severity of the traffic bottleneck on the A3 began to ease slightly, though the area remained under close monitoring. Emergency teams continued their efforts to restore normal traffic conditions, ensuring the safety of all road users. With these developments, the focus remains on maintaining order and preventing future incidents that could lead to similar levels of congestion.