In addition to sunny days and relaxation, summer also brings a marked increase in tourist traffic on our roads. As the warmer months arrive, crowds of tourists head to tourist destinations at home and abroad, increasing traffic on the roads leading to tourist destinations and vice versa. In the summer, the morning and afternoon rush hours are not as pronounced and are slightly different in both time and location.
In the first quarter of 2024, traffic increased by 3.8% compared to the same period in 2023. The largest increase is on the Dolenjska leg of the motorway A2.
Knowing your route is helpful, as is checking the status in advance at www.promet.si or by calling 1970/0386 1 518 8 518. During travel, we recommend using the DARS application Promet+, which will alert drivers about road events. We also recommend using the traffic calendar for planning trips some days ahead and taking into account the latest traffic forecast or planned roadwork.
FROM AUSTRIA TOWARDS CROATIA
In general, the entire motorway network in both the south and north directions will be busy. At the start of the holidays and before the national holidays, the busiest roads are motorways from north to south and roads in Istra.
Increased traffic from Austria in the direction of Croatia will increase the local traffic on the Gorenjska motorway A2, the western Ljubljana ring road and the Primorska motorway A1 in the direction of Koper. Congestion usually occurs on the Gorenjska motorway A2 before the Šentvid tunnel, which needs to be closed periodically for safety reasons, as well as before the Kozarje interchange and between Kozarje and Vrhnika.
Congestion usually takes place on the entire western and southern Ljubljana bypass in the direction of Primorska A1, and on the south Ljubljana ring road in the direction of Dolenjska A2.
Border crossings (Jelšane, Obrežje and Gruškovje) may still be busy during large influxes of vehicles due to low speeds and the nearby Croatian toll stations.
The following roads will be busier:
- before the Karavanke tunnel from Austria,
- Ptuj-Gruškovje in the direction of Croatia,
- Ilirska Bistrica-Jelšane border crossing,
- Koper-Dragonja border crossing,
- Koper-Izola-Sečovlje border crossing.
FROM CROATIA TOWARDS AUSTRIA
The direction of the traffic changes at the end of the holidays and national holidays.
Increased traffic from Croatia in the direction of Austria will increase the local traffic on the roads from the Dragonja and Sečovlje border crossings in the direction of Koper and on the Primorska motorway in the direction of Ljubljana where there is frequent congestion before the Kozarje interchange (Ljubljana). This congestion often stretches all the way to Razdrto.
Congestion is also possible on the Gorenjska motorway A2 before the Karavanke tunnel in the direction of Austria and, to some extent, on the Štajerska motorway A1 before the Šentilj tunnel in the direction of Austria.
We would also like to point out certain national holidays (even abroad) that will lead to increased traffic in Slovenia.
Holidays will also begin around that time and increased traffic from abroad will be added to the peak traffic in Slovenia.
- Ascension Day (8 and 9 May – an increased number of vehicles from abroad towards Croatia),
- Whitsun (increased traffic from 17 to 20 May),
- Corpus Christi (increased traffic from 30 May to 2 June),
- Assumption of Mary (increased traffic from 14 to 19 August).
Hours/days when less traffic are expected during summer rush hours:
“FROM AUSTRIA TO CROATIA”
- Monday after 5 p.m.,
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Fridays by 11 p.m. past Ljubljana and after 9 p.m., past Ljubljana,
- Saturday before 7 a.m. past Ljubljana and after 20 p.m. past Ljubljana,
- Sunday afternoon.
“FROM CROATIA TOWARDS AUSTRIA”
- as early as possible in the morning or at night or late in the evening, after 8 a.m. on weekdays we assume that we are not between 7:30 a.m. and 9 p.m. at Ljubljana.
- Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays are on average the most favorable days to travel from coast to inland.
Travel times - more info.
This year, the number of vehicles on the Slovenian motorways and expressways was about the same as in the same period last year during periods of increased traffic (holidays and public holidays). This also applies to the regional roads that lead towards the Croatian part of Istra.
Due to the suspension of border controls at the border crossing with Croatia, there was no congestion at the border crossings this time, though traffic was still congested. With the improved flow at the border crossing, traffic from Croatia towards the heart of Slovenia was more congested at bottlenecks on regional roads, especially from Dragonja in the direction of Koper and on the Primorska motorway in the direction of Ljubljana, especially before the Kozarje interchange.
In September, until the middle of the month, we can expect a significant increase in traffic on the Ljubljana ring road, as well as on the radial roads to major cities (Maribor, Kranj, Koper, Novo mesto, etc.) and on other sections of the motorways. Crossings with Austria are also still among the busiest. Holidaymakers and tourists also have a considerable impact on the traffic in Slovenia, leading to increased morning and afternoon rush hour traffic, especially on Mondays and Fridays. In early September, the start of the new school year and holidays in some German states and visits to tourist destinations were also a contributing factor.
Traffic is also often slowed down by bad weather (rain, hail, etc.).
When there are national holidays abroad, we may also expect increased traffic of goods vehicles a couple of days prior from west to east, as well as congestion on the Primorska motorway.
RESTRICTIONS OF GOODS TRAFFIC DURING SUMMER
From the last week in June (Saturday and Sunday) up to and including the first weekend in September (Saturday and Sunday).
- On Saturdays from 8:00 to 13:00, on certain motorways and expressways in the Primorska region, and on certain other roads from 6:00 to 16:00.
- On Sundays, national holidays and work-free days, from 8:00 to 22:00.
The tourist season is always accompanied by congestion in the direction of tourist destinations and at border crossings. We recommend the following:
- plan your travels ahead and outside the forecasted traffic peaks,
- ensure the technical roadworthiness of your vehicle,
- before starting your journey, check the current road conditions,
- leave your home in due time,
- drive patiently, at an appropriate speed and a safe distance,
- set off well rested, ensure sufficient intake of non-alcoholic beverages and plan stops,
- more tips are available HERE.
PROPER POSITIONING DURING CONGESTION ON MOTORWAYS AND EXPRESSWAYS
When there is congestion on the motorways and expressways, regardless of the reason, drivers must leave enough space between both lanes for intervention vehicles:
During traffic congestion on the motorway or expressway with two or multiple lanes in one direction, drivers must always form a rescue lane between the two lanes of vehicles, which must be of sufficient width for the safe passage of intervention vehicles.
Vehicles that are slowing down or stopped on the leftmost traffic lane must position themselves to the left as much as possible, moving beyond the road’s edge line.
Vehicles that are slowing down or are stopped in other lanes must position themselves to the right as much as possible, moving beyond the road’s edge line, which also includes the emergency lane (Article 30, paragraph 14 of the Road Traffic Rules Act (ZPrCP)).
If your vehicle breaks down on the motorway:
1. Turn on your hazard flashers
2. Make sure you put on your warning vest
3. Set up the advance warning triangle
4. SOS roadside pillar
5. Driving in tunnels or on motorways without an emergency lane.
Using the hazard flashers and clutch; move to the right to warn others that something is wrong. If possible, stop in an emergency lay-by, where you will find an SOS phone. If this is not possible, try to drive the vehicle to the nearest edge of the carriageway. This also applies to roads without an emergency lane, which also have emergency lay-bys at a suitable distance.
Drivers whose vehicles break down while driving on the motorway can use the free roadside SOS phone or call the Traffic Information Centre (PIC) on the short number 1970 or 0386 1 518 8 518.
________________________________________
There are also videos on our website on what to do if your vehicle stops on the motorway.
Source: The Police, DARS, PIC, Copyrighted content