Traffic collapse in Ljubljana: protected vehicles were driving along the sidewalk (VIDEO)

A traffic collapse struck central Ljubljana after noon and into the evening due to road closures and restrictions imposed for the meeting of 13 European Union heads of state. Traffic moved at snail’s pace or came to a standstill, with drivers forced to wait in queues, some expressing frustration through honking. One of the escorted convoys deviated onto the sidewalk near the Admiral Casino on Gosposvetska Street, causing further disruption among pedestrians and cyclists. The special traffic regime was implemented in Ljubljana today and Friday ahead of the gathering of 13 EU leaders. Restrictions were particularly strict around the presidential palace and the Grand Plaza Hotel, where certain roads were completely closed. Mobile barriers set up by police occasionally required drivers to halt temporarily, depending on the route taken by escorted convoys. Around 4:30 PM, one such convoy took an unexpected detour, driving along the sidewalk instead of its designated path. Road closures combined with normal traffic congestion created chaos in the city center. Drivers waited in long lines, with many venting their frustration by honking at fellow motorists. After waiting approximately ten minutes, some drivers lost patience entirely, refusing to move their hands away from their steering wheels. Police officers directed traffic at intersections, attempting to maintain flow for vehicles. Increased police presence was noted throughout the area. According to a witness, the city center was “completely blocked.” “Nothing moves,” he stated. Partial road closures began early in the morning, especially around the Grand Plaza Hotel. A partial closure affected Pražakova Street from the intersection with Slovenska Street to the intersection with Cigaletova Street. The pedestrian area on Trgu Osvobodilne Fronte remained closed until the end of the hotel in the direction of the train station. A half-closure applied to Slovenska Street from the intersection with Trdinova Street to the intersection with Tivolska Street, allowing traffic only in one direction from Dunajska toward Aškerčeva Street. Left turns from Gosposvetska to Slovenska Street were prohibited except for escorted convoys. Right turns from Tavčarjeva and Trdinova Streets to Slovenska Street were also restricted, allowing only left turns. From 3 PM to 11 PM, full road closures were in effect around the presidential palace. Prešernova Street was closed from the intersection with Rimsko to the intersection with Erjavčeva Street, while Gregorčičeva Street was closed from the intersection with Prešernova Street to the intersection with Igriška Street. Traffic management followed the guidelines outlined in the city's traffic plan, according to police, who urged participants in traffic to comply with police instructions and heed the signals from escort vehicles.