Profesor o sudaru auta iz Plenkovićeve kolone: ‘Nisu krivi stupići u Savskoj. Ključni su brzina i razmak…’

On Thursday afternoon, a traffic accident occurred on Savska Street in Zagreb involving two vehicles from the security convoy of Prime Minister Andrej Plenković. The incident took place near the Museum of Modern Art, shortly after the convoy returned from a government meeting held at the National and University Library. According to eyewitness accounts, one vehicle collided with another, causing damage and triggering airbags, which led to smoke spreading inside one of the cars. Both vehicles were part of the prime minister's protective detail, with Plenković himself reportedly present in one of them alongside Zvonimir Frka-Petešić, head of the Office of the Prime Minister.

The collision has sparked discussions about the safety and efficiency of the new traffic infrastructure recently installed along Savska Street. Following the incident, Plenković made remarks about the situation, describing the impact between the two vehicles as minimal. He also commented on the newly introduced traffic signals and barriers in the area, calling them a "brilliant innovation." His comments came just a day after the accident, suggesting that he viewed the incident as a minor occurrence rather than a significant issue.

According to reports, the accident occurred around noon when the convoy was returning from the government session. While the exact cause of the collision remains under investigation, some experts have offered insights into possible contributing factors. Professor Marko Ševrović from the Faculty of Traffic Sciences at the University of Zagreb stated that based on available photographs, the most likely cause of the accident was an unexpected braking maneuver combined with insufficient distance between the vehicles and inadequate reaction time from the driver of the second car. He emphasized that the yellow traffic lanes and new barriers on Savska Street were not decisive factors in the incident, noting that the entire street operates under similar conditions and that drivers should not have been surprised by the situation.

Ševrović further explained that while speed might not have been excessively high, the combination of speed and insufficient spacing played a critical role in the collision. He highlighted the importance of both reaction time and distance in such scenarios. Additionally, he noted that the movement of protected convoys depends on specific circumstances, and in urgent situations, there is a legal basis for different traffic regimes decided upon by police and security services. Vehicles in a protected convoy are allowed to use yellow lanes under special traffic regulations.

Minister of Internal Affairs Davor Božinović confirmed that only vehicles from the prime minister’s protection detail were involved in the accident, and no one suffered injuries. He stated that the cause of the accident would be determined through an official investigation. Despite the incident, Plenković continued with his scheduled duties without interruption.

As the investigation proceeds, attention will focus on whether the new traffic measures on Savska Street had any influence on the incident. Experts suggest that while the infrastructure itself may not have contributed directly to the accident, its presence highlights ongoing efforts to improve road safety in the city. Meanwhile, the incident serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in managing high-profile security convoys in urban environments where traffic conditions can quickly become unpredictable.