Croatia: Police report surge in vehicle collisions with animals

Police in the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County of Croatia have reported a significant increase in vehicle collisions involving both wild and domestic animals over a two-week period. Authorities recorded 44 such incidents, resulting in approximately 64,600 euros in material damage.

Wild animal encounters included 31 collisions with deer across various locations such as Bakar, Crikvenica, and Delnice, as well as incidents involving foxes, jackals, and wild boars. Domestic animal encounters included collisions with horses, a dog, and a sheep. One incident involving a horse in Novi Vinodolski resulted in minor injuries to a 74-year-old driver.

In the Lika region, specifically near Ljubovo, video footage has captured groups of horses roaming freely on roads, forcing motorists to perform slalom-like maneuvers to avoid contact. Police advise drivers to exercise caution, particularly during morning hours, and remind them that motorists may be held liable under traffic safety laws if they are found to be driving at inappropriate speeds during such encounters.