While in Croatia, you may encounterroad conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.
Road conditions and maintenance in Croatia vary widely.
Modern highways link Zagreb with Rijeka and Split.
Construction work is still ongoing between Split and Dubrovnik, causing delays and road closures.
Highway tolls are higher than those in the United States and can be paid by cash or credit card.
Information on tolls is available from the Croatian Motorways website.
Primary roads, including roads along the coast, are generally adequate, but most have only one lane in each direction.
Coastal roads are narrow and congested, and tend to be slippery when wet.
Rock slides are also possible on roads along the coast, as well as through the mountain regions of Lika and Gorski Kotar.
There is heavy congestion on major routes on weekends (towards the coast, for example) and in major cities during rush hours.
Congestion on coastal routes, at border crossings, and at tunnels is especially heavy in the summer months.
Drivers should be prepared for sudden slowdowns when approaching tunnels at any time of year.
Drivers tend to be aggressive in Croatia.
Passing on curves or in oncoming lanes is common on highways and poses a higher risk of accidents.
Accidents, when they do happen, very often involve fatalities.
Drivers traveling though former conflict areas should stay on paved roads to reduce the risk of encountering unmarked mines and unexploded ordnance left over from the 1991-1995 war.
In Zagreb, motorists and pedestrians alike should also pay special attention to trams (streetcars), which in downtown areas may travel at a high rate of speed through the narrow, congested streets.
Additionally, drivers in towns and cities should be aware that pedestrians crossing streets in designated white striped crosswalks have the right of way.
Drivers must stop to allow these pedestrians to cross.
Right turns on red lights are strictly forbidden in Croatia unless an additional green light (in the shape of an arrow) allows it.
At unmarked intersections, right of way is always given to the vehicle entering from the right.
The use of front seat belts is obligatory, and passengers in vehicles equipped with rear seat belts are required to use them.
Special seats are required for infants, and children under age 12 may not sit in the front seat of an automobile.
The use of cellular phones while operating a motor vehicle is prohibited unless the driver is using a hands-free device.
By law, headlights of vehicles must be used all winter, as well as during fog and other inclement weather.
According to Croatian law, a driver may drive with a blood alcohol level of up to 0.05 percent; however it is illegal for a professional driver and those younger than 24 years of age to drive with a blood alcohol level greater than 0.00 percent.
A driver with an alcohol level greater than 0.00 may be found guilty if involved in an accident.
Police routinely spot-check motorists for drinking and driving and administer breath-analyzer tests at the scene of even the most minor accident.
Drivers who refuse to submit to a breath-analyzer test are automatically presumed to have admitted to driving while intoxicated.
In case of accidents resulting in death or serious injury, Croatian law requires police to take blood samples to test blood alcohol levels.
Punishment for traffic violations can be severe, including fines up to 2,000 euros and even prison sentences.
Within Croatia, emergency road help and information may be reached 24 hours a day by dialing 1987, a service of the Croatian Automobile Association (HAK), staffed by English-speaking operators.
The police can be reached by dialing 112 or 192, and the ambulance service by dialing 194.
Additional road condition and safety information may be obtained from HAK at ( 385 1) 464-0800 (English-speaking operators available 24 hours), or ( 385 1) 661-1999.
Croatian Radio broadcasts programs in foreign languages designed fo
