A traffic accident on the A1, a huge column towards Zagreb

A major traffic accident on Croatia's A1 motorway near Karlovac has caused a long tailback heading towards Zagreb, according to the Croatian Motorway Authority (HAK). The incident occurred around midday between the Karlovac and Jastrebarsko junctions, leading to a backlog stretching approximately ten kilometers in the direction of the capital. This disruption has significantly affected traffic flow on several key routes, with delays reported on both national highways and local roads. The congestion has intensified along much of the road network heading toward the coast and inland, particularly affecting the A1 motorway, tourist centers, ferry ports, and certain border crossings. On the A1, vehicles traveling from Zagreb to Ploče and Karamatići have been moving in slow-moving columns, with shorter stoppages noted near toll plazas such as Lučko in both directions and Demerje in the Zagreb direction. In contrast, there have been no extended waits at other toll stations. On the state road DC1, traffic has slowed down due to ongoing works between Gračac and Knin near Otrić. Meanwhile, the Omiš bypass (DC553) has been closed entirely for all vehicles following a fire. At the Pelješac region, the state road DC414 between Prizdrina and Potomje, along with the local road LC29026 connecting Kuna Pelješka to Pijavičino, is being used by traffic in one lane only. These conditions have added to the overall strain on the transportation system during this period. In the maritime sector, operations have remained unaffected, indicating that sea transport continues without disruptions. However, the longest waiting times have been recorded at the Dvor border crossing, where drivers entering the country face delays of up to one and a half hours. This highlights the extent to which the initial accident has rippled through the broader transportation infrastructure, creating bottlenecks beyond the immediate area of the crash site. Authorities have confirmed that the cause of the accident is under investigation, though no further details have been released. Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene, and efforts are underway to clear the obstruction as quickly as possible. Local police have advised motorists to exercise caution and consider alternative routes where feasible, especially during peak travel periods. Looking ahead, officials expect that the situation will gradually ease once the main cause of the delay is resolved and additional lanes are reopened. Until then, travelers should remain vigilant and monitor updates from official sources regarding current road conditions. The incident underscores the vulnerability of critical transportation corridors to sudden disruptions and the importance of maintaining robust emergency response systems.