Association for Safe International Road Travel Road Safety Review: Croatia Know Before You Go Driving Culture • Drivers may behave aggressively. Driving is on the right. • Drivers commonly pass on curves or in Drivers should stay on paved roads to reduce risk of encountering unmarked or unexploded mines. oncoming lanes. Seat belt use is obligatory for all occupants. • Speeding and tailgating are common. There is zero tolerance for drinking and driving for truck drivers, • Red lights and stop signs are regularly professional drivers and drivers under the age of 24. ignored by drivers. Blood alcohol level for all other drivers is 0.05 percent. Random police • Drivers may flash headlights from checks are routine. behind to indicate overtaking. There is no right turn on red unless a green arrow shows turns are allowed. • Approaching drivers may flash According to the World Health Organization, there are 9.2 road deaths per headlights to warn that slowing 1 100,000 people in Croatia, compared to 2.8 in Sweden and 2.9 in the UK. down is indicated. Road Conditions • Road surface conditions vary. • Major stretches of Croatia’s network of major roads have been upgraded. • Sections of these routes are still under construction: » The A1 from Zagreb south to Split and Dubrovnik » The A6 connecting Zagreb and Rijeka • Roads on Croatia’s outlying islands are often narrow and winding. • There are many toll roads. Tolls may be paid in cash or by credit card. • Many rural roads are narrow and unlit, and have no lane markings. • Farm equipment is common on rural roads. • Both large and small wild animals may be encountered on rural roadways. • Parking in cities is often difficult to find. • Roads presenting particular challenges to motorists include, but are not limited to: » Sveti Jure mountain pass in the Biokovo mountains is the country’s highest mountain road. The road is extremely steep and narrow with hairpin turns, and can only accommodate traffic in one direction in multiple areas. » D102 on the island of Krk is the main road; there are numerous twists and turns. » A section of the A3 Motorway between Staro Petrova Selo and Nova Gradiška has a high number of crashes. The road has an asphalt surface. » The road through the Pitve tunnel on the island of Jelsa is in very bad condition with poor surfaces and is only wide enough for traffic in one direction. The one-lane tunnel is unlit most of the year except during busy tourist times; approaching headlights indicate oncoming traffic. Regional and Seasonal Conditions • Changing EU regulations have resulted in delays approaching border crossing to Slovenia, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Hungary. • Traffic jams are common during summer months to and from coastal areas. • Croatia is subject to rock slides in coastal areas and mountain regions following heavy rains. • Shutdowns at tunnel entrances occur year-round; most frequently during heavy congestion. • The coastal area has a Mediterranean climate with long, hot, dry summers and moderate, windy winters. • In Zagreb, rain and fog are common from October through December. Occasionally heavy snowfall occurs from December to March. • Be familiar with emergency procedures. The Red Cross provides a website and free, downloadable emergency app: http://www.redcross.org/get-help/prepare-for- emergencies/types-of-emergencies Source: CIA Factbook ©ASIRT 2017 1 Association for Safe International Road Travel Road Safety Review: Croatia Public Transportation • Croatia’s network of buses, taxis, trains, trams and ferries is generally regarded as safe and efficient. • The bus system is extensive, and may provide more frequent and widespread service than trains. • Trams often travel at high rates of speed through narrow city streets in Zagreb. • Beyond long distance routes between most major cities , train service is limited. • There is no train service to Dubrovnik. • Taxi service is readily available in cities. Look for metered taxis with phone number and company name on side of car at official taxi stands (airports, bus and train stations, tourist centers). • Ferries and catamarans from the state-owned and run Jadrolinija company offer regular, efficient service to outlying islands. Service is available from mainland ports including Rijeka, Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik. • Multiple private companies offer additional ferry and boat service during peak tourist times. Traffic Regulations • A new network of surveillance cameras is being installed across the country, along with “smart traffic lights” that halt traffic in areas where speeding occurs. • Pedestrians have right of way when using crosswalks. • The pedestrian-friendly island of Silba is car-free year round. • At intersections without signals, traffic entering from right has right of way. • Motorcycle drivers and passengers must wear fastened helmets. • Children under 16 are required to wear helmets when cycling. • Use of dipped headlights in mandatory during winter months and Speed Limits when fog is present. • Use of dipped headlights is mandatory year-round for motorcycle Type of road Maximum speed and moped drivers. Motorways 130 kph ( 80 mph) • A nationaldriver’s license from driver’s own country is required. and highways 110 kph • An International Driving Permit is not required but is Two-lane expressways (68 mph) recommended. 50 kph Urban areas • Drivers should carry passport and proof of insurance. (31 mph) • Drivers must be a minimum of 18; car rental agencies require Urban areas where 80 kph (50 mph) drivers to be 21. specifically posted • On the spot cash payment for traffic fines may be demanded by police. Rural roads 90 kph (56 mph) • Carrying a fluorescent safety vest and first aid kit is mandatory; these must be stored in the car and not in the trunk. Always adjust speed according to signage, hazards and Emergency Information weather conditions. • Emergency numbers: » General emergency: 112 » Police and traffic police: 112 or 192 » Ambulance: 194 • 24-hour traffic and road conditions in English: +385 1 464-0800. • For roadside assistance, dial 1987. Signs are generally pictorial and may not follow European Union conventions. Pedestrian Road Intersection Mandatory No Snow chains Rough road Keep right End of main zone exit direction stopping obligatory surface or left road ©ASIRT 2017 2 Association for Safe International Road Travel Road Safety Review: Croatia • In the event of a crash: Zagreb (Capital) » Call police. »»Public transportation is extensive and considered safe. » Display warning triangle »»Traffic tends to be congested, especially during rush hour. and activate hazard »»A well-developed road network includes an expressway around most of the city. warning lights. »»Unlike secondary roads, main roads are plowed often in winter. • Drivers involved in a crash »»Be alert for speeding trams whether driving or walking. must request a written »»Congestion and scarce parking are problems in city center. police report; reports are not »»A funicluar railway (Uspinjaca) links main shopping street (Ilica) to the Medieval automatically generated. Upper Town (Gornji Grad). • Vehicles with a foreign »»Zagrebački Električni Tramvaj (ZET) operates an extensive system of trams, buses registration involved in a and one funicular (cable railway) line. Validate ticket when boarding. crash are required to have a »»Trams provide main transportation in city center. vehicle damage certificate in »»The main bus station (Autobusni Kolodvor) has daily direct routes to many cities order to cross the border. and other countries. • Pre-program emergency »»Most suburban routes begin at tram terminals. numbers into your phone »»A direct city tram lines link the bus station and train station. before departure. »»Taxis are readily available. Board at taxi stands. • Carry contact information »»Zagreb International Airport (also known as Pleso Airport) is 15km southeast of for rental car break-down the city near Pleso and Velika Gorica. assistance. »»The Main Bus Terminal Zagreb is outside International Arrivals Exit. Dubrovnik »»The Old City is completely pedestrianized. Some streets are very steep; public transportation services to the Old City are frequent. »»Public transportation is well-developed and generally safe. »»Inter-city buses to major cities and service to smaller towns and villages leave from main station. Purchase tickets in advance. »»Dubrovnik Airport is 20 km south of the city with bus and taxi services. »»Rental cars are available from major companies. Rijeka »»Public transportation is generally regarded as safe. »»The road crash rate is high. »»Traffic is congested; traffic jams are common. »»The Autotrolej bus company runs the orange city buses. Jelačićev trg is the central bus station; there is service from city center to all the suburbs and popular tourist destinations. »»Taxi ranks are located outside the main train and bus stations. »»Rijeka International Airport near Omišalj on Krk Island has bus and taxi service. Split »»Public buses and taxis are generally regarded as safe. »»Split Airport is in Kastela, 16 km from the city. Buses and taxis provide transport to the city; rental cars are available. ASIRT is a non-profit humanitarian organization established in memory of Aron Sobel, age 25, who was killed along with 22 other passengers in a Pamukkale Bus Company crash on the roads of Turkey. Disclaimer: ASIRT provides this information as a service to travelers. This Road Safety Review is intended to provide general guidelines for travelers driving in country, whether their own or rental vehicles. ASIRT in no way recommends driving in an unfamiliar country. Any electronic links provided in this Report are for illustrative purposes and ASIRT is not responsible for the content provided within these electronic links and/or videos. 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