Hay Bales Fall onto Road in Baranja, Endangering Traffic
Police conducted an investigation after improperly secured bales fell at three locations, and those responsible failed to stop.
Police conducted an investigation after improperly secured bales fell at three locations, and those responsible failed to stop.
Today, August 4, 2026, around noon, a dangerous situation occurred at three locations in Baranja when hay bales fell from cargo vehicles directly onto the roadway. Drivers did not stop after the incident, leaving the cargo on the road and endangering traffic safety.
The most bales fell on the road near Novi Bolman, where part of the load scattered across the pavement. Fortunately, there were no other vehicles behind the trailer at that moment, avoiding a potentially serious traffic accident. Two additional bales were found in nearby Petlovac: one on Josip Kraš Street, near the new NTL facility, and the other ended up at the edge of the road near the local church.
Based on available data, it is believed that the bales did not fall from a single vehicle but from several trucks traveling through the area. According to reports, part of the load was destined for a farm in Zeleno Polje, while the final destination of the remaining bales has not yet been determined.
The police went to the scene and conducted an investigation to determine which vehicles the bales fell from, whether they were properly secured, and whether drivers are liable for leaving the scene. Under the Road Traffic Safety Act, a driver is obligated to remove objects that fall from their vehicle from the road, and the load must be secured so as not to endanger other road users.
If it is established that the incident constitutes a traffic accident with material damage and that the driver fled without leaving their details, a fine ranging from 390 to 920 euros is prescribed. Additionally, a driving ban of at least six months and three negative penalty points will be imposed.
Such incidents are not new on Baranja's roads. For many years, it has been possible to see trucks and tractor trailers with hay bales that are not properly secured with tension belts, commonly known as ratchet straps. Today's event once again highlighted how dangerous such negligent transport can be for all road users.
