Total chaos on the A1, four injured in a car crash on the highway.

Total chaos erupted on Croatia’s A1 motorway after a collision left four people injured, according to local media reports. The accident occurred around 3 p.m. near the Sveti Rok interchange, approximately 17 miles east of Zagreb, causing the closure of the highway between Sveti Rok and Gospić in the direction of Zagreb. At the time of the incident, traffic was halted, with a backlog stretching nearly four kilometers along the route. The crash involved a private car colliding with a patrol vehicle, as reported by 24sata. While initial details remain limited, authorities have confirmed that four individuals were injured in the collision. Further information will become available once emergency services complete their assessment. In the meantime, drivers caught on the scene are being urged to send photos or videos via WhatsApp to 091 3000 666 for real-time updates. Compounding the situation, another traffic bottleneck formed due to a breakdown in the Sveti Rok tunnel. Drivers described the conditions as chaotic, with one witness recounting how they were stuck in a long queue from the Maslenički Bridge into the tunnel. Inside the tunnel, only one lane was open, leading to further congestion at the Gornja Ploča junction. Emergency personnel, including police and ambulances, managed to navigate through the jam, though the situation remained tense. In addition to the accident and mechanical failure, reckless behavior by some drivers exacerbated the crisis. Witnesses told Nacional.hr that several motorists ignored traffic rules, including parking illegally in designated stopping areas and exiting vehicles while the road was blocked. Some drivers reportedly began reversing their cars back toward the Dalmatian coast, violating the rule of driving in the wrong direction on the motorway. This led to heightened danger and confusion among other road users. Authorities have warned that such actions carry severe penalties. Driving against the flow of traffic on a motorway can result in fines ranging from €1,320 to €2,650, or up to 60 days in prison. Offenders also face five to six penalty points on their license and a temporary ban from operating a vehicle for up to 12 months. Local officials have yet to issue a formal statement regarding the incident, but the Ministry of Interior has been contacted for comment. Meanwhile, efforts continue to clear the affected stretch of the A1, with additional lanes being opened gradually to ease the congestion. Roadworks and maintenance activities are also ongoing in the area, contributing to the delays. As of late afternoon, the situation remains under control, though travel times are expected to increase significantly for those attempting to pass through the region. Authorities advise drivers to exercise caution and avoid using mobile phones while on the move, especially in high-risk zones. With more than 10,000 vehicles passing through the section daily, even minor disruptions can lead to major bottlenecks, making the current scenario all the more concerning.