Despite a series of announced modernizations, from smart traffic lights to a new port, the traffic picture in Split is getting darker. Citizens are frustrated, statistics are alarming, and key infrastructure projects are stuck in the planning or initial construction phase.
The traffic situation in Split has reached a critical point. In 2023, more than 20,000 traffic accidents were recorded, a five percent increase compared to the previous year. Particularly concerning is the fact that 15 people lost their lives on Split's roads during the same period, the darkest statistic in the last ten years. The main causes include disregard for traffic rules, primarily speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol.
Experts and citizens agree on one thing: the city's traffic infrastructure has not kept pace with the growth in the number of vehicles and tourist congestion. The lack of adequate bicycle lanes further discourages alternative modes of transport. Meanwhile, trust in public transport is rapidly declining. According to data, the company Promet Split has seen a 10% drop in passenger numbers over the past two years. The key reasons cited are unreliable routes and excessively long waiting times, which push drivers back into private cars and further choke already congested roads.
The city administration, led by Mayor Ivica Puljak, has announced several major projects aimed at easing traffic. The "Smart Split" project, coordinated by Marko Perišić, plans to install smart traffic lights and traffic monitoring sensors that should reduce average travel time by 15%. At the same time, construction of a new ferry port on Vukovarska Street began in 2024, with the aim of redirecting freight traffic away from the city center. Plans also include introducing paid parking in the city center from 2025, as well as a potential low-emission zone in the historic core that would ban vehicles older than Euro 4 standards.
While waiting for major infrastructure projects, analyses point to faster and cheaper solutions. For instance, it is estimated that introducing roundabouts at key intersections, such as the one at Žnjan, could reduce the number of accidents by as much as 30%. However, despite promises, citizens are increasingly vocal in their dissatisfaction. Delays in implementation, lack of funding, and political disagreements create the impression that things are moving too slowly, while they suffer daily congestion and feel unsafe on the roads. Associations like "Biciklom do zdravlja" warn that without urgent investment in alternative infrastructure, the vicious cycle of congestion and accidents cannot be broken.
