(VIDEO) Video released of the accident in which President Natasha Pirc Musar was injured

A traffic collision involving the convoy of Slovenia's president, Nataša Pirc Musar, occurred on July 31 on the coastal motorway near the Kastelec tunnel. The incident resulted in injuries to the president and her companion, who were traveling in one of the vehicles. According to reports, the collision happened when the lead vehicle in the convoy began braking suddenly, causing the following vehicle to attempt evasive action. However, the maneuver was insufficient, leading to a crash with the police vehicle accompanying the presidential convoy. The accident took place during a trip to Komenda, where the president was attending an event related to multiple Slovenian winners of the Tour de France race. Due to heavy traffic on the weekend, the security team opted for a three-car convoy to ensure the president’s safety. Two of the three vehicles involved in the incident were part of this convoy. The middle vehicle, a Mercedes van carrying the president, collided from behind with the police car. A third support vehicle followed the president’s vehicle. According to Dr. Peter Vidmar, dean of the Faculty of Maritime Studies and Transport, the collision appears to have been caused by the activation of safety signals in the tunnel, prompting the vehicles in the convoy to slow down. He explained that the distance between the first vehicle in the convoy and the van was approximately 30 to 35 meters at a speed of around 150 kilometers per hour, which he described as slightly insufficient given the high speed. Vidmar noted that even highly trained drivers have a reaction time ranging from half a second to one second, which is not enough to stop or significantly reduce speed at such a high velocity. He emphasized that the situation created by the positioning of the vehicles made the accident unavoidable. He also acknowledged the tragic nature of the incident, highlighting the psychological burden it carries for all involved. The video footage released by the creators of the show "Tarča" on TV Slovenija shows the moment of the collision. In the footage, the president's vehicle can be seen colliding with the police vehicle. The president suffered a broken collarbone, while her friend, who was traveling with her, also sustained injuries. The president expressed regret that she was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. Andrej Brglez, a mobility expert and former driver for protected individuals, analyzed the footage and stated that the collision occurred when the first vehicle on the left lane started braking, and the second vehicle barely managed to move to the right. He noted that the driver likely believed they could successfully move to the right lane, similar to the vehicle behind them. Brglez added that drivers of protected individuals are allowed to drive at higher speeds and with shorter safety distances due to their training. He suggested that the injuries might have been less severe if everyone had been buckled up. The investigation into the causes of the accident is being handled by a specialized unit within the state prosecution. The incident has raised questions about the safety protocols and procedures followed by the presidential security detail, particularly regarding the choice of speed and safety distances in high-speed environments. The case will likely involve a thorough review of the convoy's operational guidelines and the decision-making process that led to the selection of a three-vehicle convoy under heavy traffic conditions.