Drones Patrol Croatian Roads to Curb Traffic Violations

The news in Croatian

1. poboljšanje  (n.)
   čin ili proces postajanja boljim; unapređenje nečega ↩︎
2. otkrivati
   pronalaziti, saznati nešto što je skriveno ili nepoznato ↩︎
3. prekršaj  (m.)
   činjenje ili nedjelovanje protiv zakonskih ili propisanih pravila ↩︎
4. cilj  (m.)
   ono što se želi postići, svrha ili namjera nekog postupka ↩︎
5. metoda  (f.)
   sistematičan, uređen postupak ili način rada ↩︎
6. reakcija  (f.)
   odaziv na neku pojavu ili događaj ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: What are the drones used for on Croatian roads?

Question 2: What is the goal of using drones on the roads in Croatia?

Vocabulary

Croatian	English
poboljšanje  (n.)	improvement
otkrivati	discover
prekršaj  (m.)	offence
cilj  (m.)	goal
metoda  (f.)	method
reakcija  (f.)	reaction

Read the full story

The Croatian police have launched a significant traffic monitoring initiative employing drones to enhance road safety across the nation. On Wednesday, drones were deployed over various regions of Croatia in an unprecedented move aimed at curbing traffic violations and reducing the incidence of road accidents.

The drones, operated by specially trained officers, provide aerial views allowing for real-time detection of offences. During the operation, attention was primarily directed towards “the four biggest traffic threats“: excessive speed, driving under the influence, failure to use seatbelts and child seats, and improper use of mobile phones while driving. These offences have been identified as major contributors to severe road incidents.

Goran Medić, the deputy head of Zagreb’s traffic police station, emphasized the strategic advantage of drones, noting their ability to observe from various angles and detect violations more efficiently compared to traditional methods. This innovation supports a more comprehensive oversight of traffic behaviour, supplementing ground patrols that would traditionally require a significantly larger officer presence.

Data from the Croatian Ministry of Interior reveals a concerning rise in road fatalities this year, with 228 deaths recorded—a 12% increase compared to the same period last year. The drone initiative aims to reverse this trend by increasing the likelihood of apprehending offenders, thus fostering a greater sense of accountability among drivers.

The operation received positive initial feedback from traffic authorities, with immediate impacts observed, including a more cautious approach from drivers. This enhanced vigilance was evident in the Karlovac region, where a notable decrease in traffic incidents was reported during the drone surveillance period.

The use of drones represents a technological leap in traffic law enforcement, integrating video capture capabilities that record violations and collect detailed data for prosecuting offenders. Violators may be intercepted on-site by patrol officers or receive fines through mail, depending on real-time logistical feasibility.

With expansion plans underway, the police are set to acquire more drones and train additional officers, aiming to maintain continuous aerial surveillance on Croatian roads. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to instill a proactive compliance culture among road users, ultimately ensuring safer travel environments across the country.

Info: ‘Croatian Learner News’ is a service from ‘Let’s Learn Croatian’, a language school dedicated to teaching Croatian through a variety of online courses designed to suit different learning styles. Our offerings include language holidays in Croatia, providing immersive experiences that combine language learning with cultural exposure.