Heavy Traffic as Holidaymakers Return from the Coast, No Long Queues at Lučko
Record number of vehicles recorded on motorways this weekend, while the head of the Lučko toll plaza technical unit warns of drivers slowing down out of curiosity.
Record number of vehicles recorded on motorways this weekend, while the head of the Lučko toll plaza technical unit warns of drivers slowing down out of curiosity.
Traffic from the coast towards the interior was very heavy on Sunday, August 16, 2026, with vehicles moving in convoys with occasional brief stops. As reported by Stijena.info, citing HRT, there were no long queues at the Lučko toll plaza, despite the high volume of vehicles.
After another demanding summer weekend, increased congestion on the roads is particularly noticeable on the main routes used by returning drivers. The return wave towards Zagreb and the interior has, as expected, put pressure on the road network, but the toll system has not caused major issues so far.
Ivan Samarin, head of the Lučko toll plaza technical unit, confirmed that traffic towards the interior is extremely heavy. Vehicle convoys are progressing with occasional stops, and drivers are advised to be patient, maintain a safe distance, and regularly check traffic information.
A total of 170,000 cars passed through the motorways in both directions during Friday and Saturday. Compared to traffic towards the interior, there were approximately 4,500 more vehicles heading towards the coast. By 6 PM on Sunday, an additional 67,000 vehicles had been recorded, with traffic towards the coast still higher by about 4,000 vehicles.
According to data, traffic this year is more intense than last year. From the beginning of the year until last weekend, Croatian motorways recorded 49.8 million vehicles, which is 1.7 million more compared to the same period last year.
Samarin warned about the habit of some drivers who slow down to see what happened on the opposite side of the motorway. Some drivers also try to take photos or record the scene using their mobile phones. Such behavior disrupts the flow of traffic, causes sudden congestion, and seriously endangers the safety of drivers, passengers, and other road users.
Special attention is needed when traffic is moving at variable speeds. If drivers do not maintain a sufficient distance, sudden braking can lead to chain collisions. Therefore, authorities appeal to drivers to focus on the road, not to observe events on the opposite side, and not to use mobile phones while driving.
Before traveling, it is advisable to check the conditions on your chosen route, prepare enough water, and plan breaks. When congestion occurs, stay calm, respect speed limits, and give way to emergency vehicles. Timely use of turn signals also helps other drivers anticipate changes in traffic.
Although there were no long queues at Lučko, the traffic situation can change quickly. During summer weekends, especially on return routes towards Zagreb and the interior, congestion is expected. Drivers are advised to avoid peak times when possible and not to slow down unnecessarily, so as not to contribute to additional delays.
