Balkan police intensify traffic checks as violations surge across Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro

Croatian police reported more than 500 traffic offences over a weekend in Osijek‑Baranja, including 46 drunken drivers – among them a cyclist with a blood‑alcohol level of 3.18 ‰ – as well as numerous speed, seat‑belt and mobile‑phone violations. In Istria 18 accidents were recorded, one of them fatal, with a driver clocking 188 km/h. A checkpoint on the A1 highway near Vodice uncovered over two kilograms of marijuana belonging to a driver who also tested positive for alcohol, while another stop found a motorist with a 2.04 ‰ blood‑alcohol level.

Serbian interior ministry announced an intensified traffic‑control operation from 13 to 19 July, targeting speeding, drunk and drug‑impaired driving and seat‑belt non‑use after 17 deaths and 123 serious injuries were recorded since the start of July.

Montenegrin police carried out raids on two night clubs, checking 150 people, sanctioning two suspected drug traffickers and arresting three drivers for drunken driving. Mobile speed‑control units were deployed on routes such as Podgorica‑Nikšić, Podgorica‑Cetinje and Podgorica‑Bar.

Macedonian police logged more than 200 speeding offences in the early‑morning hours. Swedish police warned of the hazardous “sotning” challenge among youths, which can cause carbon‑monoxide poisoning.

These coordinated actions reflect a regional push to curb reckless driving, drug‑related offences and fatigue‑related accidents during the summer travel season.