HAC Director Warns: Croatian Drivers Overtake Until the Last Moment
Hrvoje Ordulj, Director of the Traffic Sector at HAC, commented on summer congestion, driver behavior, and announced new infrastructure projects for HTV.
Hrvoje Ordulj, Director of the Traffic Sector at HAC, commented on summer congestion, driver behavior, and announced new infrastructure projects for HTV.
Summer congestion on Croatian highways has not been absent this year either, and the Director of the Traffic Sector at Croatian Motorways (HAC), Hrvoje Ordulj, says that delays are practically unavoidable. In an appearance on HTV's show "Studio 4" on August 6, 2026, Ordulj emphasized that the problem is not only at toll booths but also in the configuration of the roads and the high volume of vehicles.
"Traffic jams are unavoidable for some time to come. We all want to get to the sea, and we all want to return from the sea at the same time," Ordulj said for HRT.
Ordulj explained the key congestion points. At the Lučko toll plaza, as many as seven or eight traffic lanes merge and then narrow to just two lanes. "You cannot reduce traffic from seven lanes to two and expect everything to function normally," he said.
Another critical point is the Sveti Rok tunnel, where traffic must occasionally be temporarily stopped for safety reasons. "Traffic in the tunnel must not stop. If an accident or breakdown occurs, entry into the tunnel is automatically closed," Ordulj explained, adding that HAC operators continuously monitor traffic density and proactively close the tunnel entrance to prevent dangerous situations.
Particularly concerning is the comparison of driving culture. Ordulj openly warned about the behavior of Croatian drivers, especially in work zones. "As a rule, you will notice that drivers with foreign license plates respect speed limits, unlike our drivers who overtake until the last moment and cut in front of other vehicles," he said.
He also appealed for the importance of forming an emergency corridor as soon as traffic stops. "When traffic stops, the driver does not know whether it is an accident or a simple jam. That is why the emergency corridor should be formed immediately," Ordulj emphasized.
More than 220 portals for the new toll collection system are currently being installed across Croatia. Ordulj expects all portals to be installed by October 2026, and the system could become operational during 2027. However, he warns that even new technology is not a magic wand: "Regardless of barriers or the new toll collection system, traffic will stop if the load is too great."
Ordulj also announced the continuation of major projects. Work on the sections between Križišće, Jadranovo, and Selce will intensify after the tourist season ends. Additionally, plans include the construction of the Novi Vinodolski bypass and the completion of the Matulji interchange. "We expect that by the first quarter of 2027, Istria and Kvarner will be connected by a full motorway profile," Ordulj said for HRT.
