If you have driven on Slovenian highways in recent years, you must have noticed that the traffic is becoming more and more dense and often burdened with traffic jams. We've all had those embarrassing moments when we're driving at a snail's pace on the freeway while brass horns blare impatiently in the background. So why are there traffic jams on Slovenian roads? The answer is surprisingly simple: our traffic culture and inadequate speed control measures, not, as many think, traffic congestion. So - why do we have traffic jams on Slovenian highways?
The number of cars is increasing from year to year, but not as drastically as those in charge want to show us. Why do we have traffic jams on Slovenian highways? We only have a few percent more cars on our roads in the last decade. But we all notice that traffic jams are increasing drastically. Many of us believe that it is actually not so much a problem of infrastructure as it is mostly a problem of managing this infrastructure.
Slovenian highways were built for a speed of 130 km/h, but the reality is that most drivers drive faster or slower than this limit. A limit of 130 km/h is a rarity rather than a rule in developed countries. Even in Germany, where they know unlimited speed, the limits are always set at 110 km/h, not 130 km/h. So, where are the solutions as known by the profession abroad? I will try to answer why we have traffic jams on Slovenian highways.
- Too much speed, too little control Although the speed limit on Slovenian highways is set at 130 km/h, many drivers exceed this limit. In the fast lane, drivers can be seen driving at speeds over 160 km/h, while in the driving lane they drive at average speeds between 95 and 120 km/h. The large difference in speeds between these two lanes is one of the main reasons for traffic accidents and resulting congestion. Driving too fast reduces reaction time, which leads to dangerous situations, especially on busier sections. More braking and more unforeseen events on the roads cause curious looks and traffic jams.
The solution? Stricter controls and higher penalties for speeding. Increasing the fines would have a strong psychological effect, as drivers would realize that they risk high fines if they exceed the speed limit. Violations on the highway should have the same criteria as speeding violations in an urban environment and the same penalties. Increasing fines would deter many people from speeding, improving overall safety and traffic flow. The difference in speeds between the overtaking lane and the driving lane would be reduced, thereby reducing the number of incidents.
- Reducing the speed limit on motorways to 110 km/h Many people would think that lowering the speed limit from 130 km/h to 110 km/h would only further slow down traffic. But research shows otherwise. A lower speed would reduce the difference between speeds in the driving and overtaking lanes, which would prevent dangerous overtaking and reduce the number of accidents. A more consistent speed would allow for a smoother flow of traffic and reduce the number of sudden stops that often lead to chain accidents and gridlock.
Statistics show that excessive speed is one of the main causes of traffic accidents, which in turn leads to traffic jams. The Slovenian police and the Traffic Safety Agency state that frequent traffic accidents on highways are related to inappropriate speed, failure to respect the safety distance and improper movements between lanes. All of this increases the possibility of accidents and traffic slowdowns, as any incident on the highway (even a minor accident or vehicle breakdown) leads to a temporary lane closure or even a complete traffic stop.
- The Netherlands: One of the most famous countries to lower the speed limit on motorways is the Netherlands. In 2020, the daily speed limit on most highways was lowered from 130 km/h to 100 km/h. The aim of this measure was to reduce emissions, but they also saw an improvement in traffic flow and fewer accidents due to a more consistent speed.
- Sweden: Sweden, known for its “Vision Zero” approach to road safety, has limited the speed to 110 km/h on certain dangerous sections of highways. This significantly reduced the number of fatal accidents.
- Estonia: The limit of 110 km/h applies to the entire country.
- Croatia: The Istrian highway cross has a speed limit of 110 km/h.
- Psychological tricks for safer driving An interesting solution used by some countries, for example Italy, is the use of higher fences on the sides of roads, which creates a "tunnel effect". This effect subconsciously forces drivers to slow down as they feel more cramped and cautious. Higher barriers limit the field of vision and drivers automatically adjust their speed, leading to more fluid and predictable traffic.
Investing in improving road infrastructure, such as higher fences on problem sections, would be an effective measure to reduce speed differences and improve safety. Planting green belts between traffic lanes is also an excellent solution that can reduce the speed of drivers by more than 10 %.
- France: Higher fences have been introduced on certain motorways in France to create a sense of narrower space. This has reduced driving speed and improved fluidity as drivers drive more carefully and steadily.
- Germany: On highways with speed limits and dangerous curves, German engineers have installed higher barriers to encourage drivers to drive slower, reducing the risk of accidents and increasing safety.
- Italy: Most of the freeways are equipped with an addition for raising the fence, which is also immediately visible if you drive from Slovenia in the direction of Venice.
Photo: pexels / thelazyartist
- Workplaces and the Curiosity Effect You've probably been stuck in a traffic jam many times due to highway construction. Construction sites represent one of the biggest obstacles to the flow of traffic, as they reduce visibility for drivers and cause sudden braking. Often, however, traffic jams are not the result of an actual road closure, but rather a "curiosity effect" - drivers slowing down to see what's going on at the construction site. This curious observation causes unnecessary traffic jams and disruptions.
One of the solutions is the introduction of high partitions, which completely separate the workplaces from the carriageway. These barriers reduce distractions and prevent curious driving. Safer working conditions and fewer distractions for drivers would reduce the number of congestions and enable smooth traffic around construction sites. The work should be carried out at night, when traffic is less heavy. Logistically, this is even easier than "cooling" workers in special containers.
- Austria: On Austrian highways, high barriers have been introduced at work sites that separate the work sites from the carriageway. These barriers prevent the “curiosity effect,” which reduces unnecessary traffic slowdowns and congestion.
- Switzerland: Also in Switzerland, barriers have been introduced at highway work sites to reduce curious driving and improve traffic flow. The results showed less congestion and safer working conditions for workers.
- Higher penalties, better effect Higher penalties are one of the most powerful psychological factors influencing driver behavior. Increasing penalties for speeding, especially on highways and construction sites, would force drivers to drive more responsibly and safely. More severe penalties for offenses such as speeding would effectively reduce the number of accidents and improve the flow of traffic on the busiest roads.
Sectional measurements that would track every car from import to highway to export would reduce congestion by 50 %, according to some experts. Constant speed measurement would force drivers to obey the rules, allowing traffic to flow at an average speed of 100 km/h, saving the country millions of hours of citizens now standing in traffic jams.
This solution would definitely be cheaper than any interventions in the infrastructure.
- Sweden: Sweden is known for its efforts to improve road safety. In addition to tougher penalties, they also introduced psychological measures, such as the installation of visual signals that warn drivers of speed violations, which affects their behavior on the road.
- Finland: Finland has introduced very strict penalties for offenses where the amount of the fine is based on the personal income of the driver. This has a strong psychological effect, as the fines for wealthier drivers are significantly higher, which discourages them from dangerous traffic behavior.
- The third lane of the highway The third lane is a nice, but very utopian idea. The problem is that the Slovenian engineering profession planned the bridges dangerously for the existing highway infrastructure and did not think ahead to move the supporting beams away from the shoulder lane. The third lane would therefore mean the renovation of 70 % existing overpasses.
Some sections of the highway would allow the introduction of a third lane on the current stop lane, with the construction of safety niches every 800 meters. This could improve traffic distribution, although in some sections the third lane would be narrowed back to two. A speed limit could help prevent flow disruptions.
Why Slovenia doesn't need new highways, but it does need order and driving culture
Slovenia is a financially weak economy that has not completed its homework of building all the necessary highways. Even after the completion of these projects, it will be a long time before we can start the expansion of the existing road crossing. At least 70 % overpasses, bridges, underpasses, trenches, etc. will need to be replaced, which is mission impossible. Above all, Slovenia needs the order and culture of driving on the highways. Everyone feels how uncultured drivers we Slovenians are when crossing the caravan tunnel, when the culture of driving changes completely in a few kilometers. The problem is not the roads, the problem is mostly the people. In a few years, however, these will be replaced by autonomous driving, which will greatly increase the fluidity that is now in the hands of the poor and slow reactions of human drivers.
What does this mean for the future of Slovenian transport? The combination of all these measures - from reducing the speed limit to stricter control and improving the road infrastructure - could improve the flow of Slovenian roads in the long term. Fewer accidents, smoother traffic and fewer unexpected road closures would lead to smoother traffic, less congestion and safer roads for all involved. While some measures, such as speed reductions, might seem at first glance to increase journey times, they would actually reduce the time drivers spend in congestion in the long run.
Ultimately, the key to better traffic is a change in traffic culture and consistent adherence to traffic rules. Only in this way will we be able to improve traffic flow and safety on Slovenian roads and reduce frequent traffic jams, which cause a lot of headaches for everyone.
Traffic jams on Slovenian roads may not be a thing of the past, but with the effective implementation of these measures, we can get closer to a better, safer and smoother traffic future. Oziorma, we get back our roads and the time we are losing now. As always, I add. It is not necessary to work harder, but smarter.
