Police Warn of Night Pilgrims
Heavier traffic is expected as early as Friday afternoon, with the greatest risk being encounters between vehicles and pedestrians on poorly lit stretches.
Heavier traffic is expected as early as Friday afternoon, with the greatest risk being encounters between vehicles and pedestrians on poorly lit stretches.
Police expect thousands of believers to head to Croatian Marian shrines this weekend, which will cause increased traffic as early as Friday afternoon, August 14, 2026. Drivers have been given a special warning due to pilgrims who will set out on foot to their destinations during the night and early morning hours, as reported by Narodno.hr.
Since the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary falls on Saturday, August 15, 2026, the greatest pressure on roads is not expected solely on the holiday itself. A significant number of travelers will hit the road as early as the day before, further burdening highways and access roads to Marija Bistrica, Sinj, Aljmaš, and other destinations.
To ensure the safety of all road users, police will deploy the maximum available number of officers, especially on routes where pilgrims will pass. The key danger lies in nighttime encounters between vehicles and pedestrians on sections without adequate street lighting.
For pedestrians moving along the roadway outside built-up areas, the rule is to walk on the left edge of the road in the direction of travel. In nighttime conditions and reduced visibility, they must be marked with a light source or reflective material. Police recommend wearing reflective vests and lighter-colored clothing so that drivers can spot them in time.
The Zagreb Police Department further warns pilgrims that they often walk on roads without sidewalks, through unlit areas, and along forests or other dark natural surroundings. Younger pilgrims are advised not to use headphones while walking or cover their heads in a way that could reduce their awareness of their surroundings, and they are warned to avoid alcohol. Cyclists, in addition to a reflective vest and helmet, must have front and rear lights on at night and in conditions of reduced visibility.
Drivers are asked to further reduce speed on approaches to shrines and to exercise increased caution when approaching pedestrian crossings. On highways, the prohibition of driving on the hard shoulder is emphasized, as is the obligation to maintain a safe distance and the rule that the left lane is used exclusively for overtaking.
Increased surveillance will focus on speed control, driving under the influence of alcohol, mobile phone use, and seatbelt wearing. Additional caution is also expected from motorcyclists and moped riders, from whom police require prescribed protective equipment and speed adaptation to road conditions. A special appeal also applies to drivers of electric scooters and other personal mobility devices, who must comply with legal provisions, adapt their speed to road and pedestrian zone conditions, and consider the safety of the most vulnerable road users.
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the days when intense tourist traffic and a large number of pilgrims intertwine on Croatian roads. Therefore, this year it is not only crucial to arrive at the destination on time. Especially during the night, a few kilometers less speed and a few seconds of extra attention can determine whether a journey ends at a shrine or at the scene of a traffic accident.
In Sinj, according to announcements from the City, more than 100,000 believers and pilgrims from Croatia and the world are expected. Mayor Miro Bulj has ordered that all parking lots in Sinj for pilgrims and visitors be free of charge, and drinking water will be provided at numerous points in the city and on pilgrimage routes. Catering establishments may work without time restrictions on Friday and Saturday, but with the obligation to respect religious peace during key events.
