During the last weekend of September 2024, from the 27th to the 30th, the Zagreb police conducted an extensive operation aimed at reducing traffic offenses. Under the operations "Alcohol and Drugs" and "Speeding," the police carried out numerous controls on the roads with the aim of increasing safety and reducing the number of traffic accidents. The focus of the operation was on driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, speeding, and not wearing a seatbelt, which are the most common causes of traffic accidents in Croatia.

According to available data, a total of 745 offenses were recorded during the operation. Of these, the largest number of offenses related to speeding, with as many as 265 cases. Additionally, 92 offenses were recorded for drivers who drove under the influence of alcohol, while 63 drivers were caught without wearing a seatbelt. A significant number of offenses also involved drivers using mobile phones while driving, which was recorded in 43 cases.

The importance of intensified traffic operations

Such operations like "Alcohol and Drugs" and "Speeding" are crucial for reducing traffic accidents and improving overall safety on the roads. Police supervision helps reduce the risk of accidents, especially considering the most common causes like driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, which seriously endanger all participants in traffic. In previous similar operations, it was recorded that on Croatian roads, during just one weekend, hundreds of drivers can be sanctioned for driving under the influence of alcohol or for speeding, which clearly indicates the need for such activities.

An example of one of the serious traffic accidents recorded during the operation occurred on the night of September 27 on Avenue Većeslava Holjevca. A driver, aged 31, was operating a vehicle under the influence of 2.81 g/kg of alcohol in their system, resulting in a collision with a freight vehicle. The driver was also driving with an expired driver's license, further complicating the situation. Fortunately, there were no severe consequences in the accident, but the driver was arrested and fined 1790 euros, along with a three-month driving ban.

Statistics of the "Alcohol and Drugs" operation

Besides numerous offenses by drivers under the influence of alcohol, a concerning number of young drivers participating in alcohol-related offenses was recorded. Out of 92 drivers caught under the influence of alcohol, 21 drivers were found to have a concentration greater than 1.5 g/kg, and among them, there were 18 young drivers. The police placed several individuals in special rooms until the effects of alcohol subsided, while 16 individuals were brought to the Municipal Misdemeanor Court.

Refusal to undergo testing for alcohol and drugs is also punished with a high fine, which can reach up to 2650 euros, along with the possibility of temporary vehicle confiscation in cases of repeated offenses. These strict measures aim to encourage drivers to behave responsibly in traffic and reduce the number of accidents caused by driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Traffic operations like this are regularly conducted throughout the year, and according to available data, they are most often directed at weekends when drivers are more likely to break regulations, whether due to speeding, improper overtaking, or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Besides fines, such operations contribute to raising awareness about the importance of adhering to traffic regulations and the safety of all participants in traffic.