Drivers from the opposite direction on the A1: Police said to turn back, there was chaos

A chaotic traffic situation unfolded on Croatia’s A1 motorway near Gornje Ploče on Thursday after police reportedly instructed drivers to reverse their vehicles to allow space for an approaching helicopter, leading to multiple violations of traffic rules. According to reports from readers who were part of a long traffic jam caused by a serious accident, some drivers turned around in response to the directive, resulting in confusion and a surge in illegal maneuvers. The incident occurred around 3:30 PM local time, when a heavy traffic accident took place near Gornje Ploče in the direction of Zagreb. One vehicle overturned and blocked both lanes of the highway. Four people were injured, with one being hospitalized in critical condition at the KBC Rijeka hospital and three others treated at the Gospić hospital. The crash led to a seven-kilometer-long traffic backlog. Readers who were caught in the congestion shared accounts suggesting that at least part of the erratic behavior was triggered by a police officer directing drivers to move back to allow room for a helicopter. One driver described hearing the officer say, “Go back, the helicopter is coming.” This instruction, according to the witness, prompted a chain reaction among drivers, many of whom began reversing their cars, believing they were following official guidance. Another reader, located approximately 100 meters away from the collision site, recounted that the officer had told drivers to return to the center of the road to free up space for the helicopter. He claimed that this explanation might have led to the majority of vehicles turning around. A third reader, who was among the visible vehicles captured in photos, stated that he initially reversed but stopped after several meters, only to see other drivers turn back and continue forward. Multiple readers confirmed similar experiences, describing how the initial movement of a few vehicles sparked a ripple effect throughout the entire column. Some believed that the police had intended for drivers to return to the nearest exit, while others thought the directive was to clear the road for the helicopter. Despite these conflicting interpretations, the result was widespread confusion, with more than 29 drivers eventually cited for using the emergency lane or driving against the flow of traffic. The Croatian Police Authority has not yet officially acknowledged that such instructions were given to drivers during the incident. In its statement, the police confirmed that 29 drivers were fined for using the emergency lane or violating directional rules, with three additional cases involving other offenses such as reckless driving, overtaking on a solid line, and aggressive driving behaviors like flashing lights and honking. However, there is no mention of specific directives related to the helicopter or any formal orders for drivers to reverse. The police have been contacted for further clarification regarding whether officers gave such instructions or if the reversal of vehicles was a misunderstanding. They have also been asked whether the circumstances surrounding the incident could influence the handling of the fines issued to the 29 drivers. The results of these inquiries will be made public once received. This incident highlights the potential for even well-intentioned actions, such as clearing space for emergency services, to lead to unintended consequences when communication is unclear or insufficient. As the investigation into the incident continues, the focus remains on understanding the exact sequence of events and ensuring that future responses to similar situations avoid similar disruptions.