Massive traffic jams have been reported at the Bajakovo border crossing from Croatia to Serbia, leading to dire conditions and extreme delays for travelers trying to navigate the route over the holiday weekend. Many individuals found themselves caught in hours-long queues, some enduring waits of over 40 hours due to what officials are attributing to extensive border control measures.
News-Scout Islam experienced this first-hand as he and his family, after starting their trip from Bern, Switzerland on Friday at around 2 PM, reached the Kosovo border on Sunday at 8 AM. "After 43 hours without pause and sleep, I finally managed to drive from Switzerland to Kosovo," he recounted. His travel, which typically takes 17 to 20 hours, turned out to be "an absolute catastrophe."">
Situated at the primary transit route between Zagreb and Belgrade, the Bajakovo crossing became the focal point for travelers from various nations, including Germany and Austria, facing unexpected delays. Islam described being caught in a seemingly endless queue, stating, "There was no progress, and the worst part was: there seemed to be no end in sight." He emphasized the need for the EU to intervene, pressing Serbia to open additional border points and urging Croatia to address the chaos. "This chaos affects not only travelers from Switzerland but also from Germany, Austria, Holland, and many others," he said.
The core issue seems to be the length of the border checks, which are taking up to ten minutes per vehicle. According to Croatian media, each non-EU passenger had to be registered, which significantly prolonged the wait time. Islam noted, "There’s often the impression border officials view travelers more as burdens rather than clients." Without adequate personnel on hand to handle the surge of traffic, travelers expressed their frustrations as kids suffered through exhaustion and families faced diminishing fuel supplies with little hope of relief.
Another traveler, identified only as Adnan, shared similar grievances with the media. He has been stuck for over 15 hours, describing the chaotic traffic scenario where even sleep-deprived drivers found themselves dozing off behind the wheel. "So far we’ve been at it for more than 15 hours. The last gas station was packed, and the parking areas overflowed. Two grown men managing is challenging enough; you can only picture the difficulty families with children are facing. It’s game over for them," he commented.
Reports indicate the traffic jam stretched about 20 kilometers, resulting from multiple factors including slow-moving customs checks and high volumes of holiday travel. Further complicity arose when impatient drivers sought alternate routes on hard shoulders and emergency lanes, leading to dangerous situations among vehicles. Adnan noted, "We heard loud honking and saw risky overtaking maneuvers by those trying to inch forward." He assessed there were likely only two to three lanes operating at the border, leading to massive congestion.
Meanwhile, conditions on the roads are precarious due to recent weather events, including heavy snow and rain, which have exacerbated traffic problems across the country. Around the Bajakovo crossing, wait times exceeded ten hours amid reports of worsening weather. "The entire state appeared unprepared for the Christmas traffic," remarked another driver, shedding light on the insufficient border station operations and suggestions for improved efficiency.
Travelers reported severe shortages of water and food options, with many finding themselves stranded on the highway. Affected motorists resorted to occupying their time with YouTube videos on diminishing cell coverage, waiting for conditions to improve. One individual humorously lamented, "From where I stand, the only restroom I can picture is far from here!" They remain hopeful though for the situation to ease once the border operations adapt to handle peak travel periods.
Despite travelers’ discontent, authorities have been called to address their grievances, including the Croatian Automobile Club, which urges patience. Acknowledging the difficulties faced during peak travel times across European borders, officials face criticism for their handling of the unprecedented influx of holiday traffic and long lines at the border.
Post-Christmas traffic could yield similar challenges without effective logistical improvements enacted. There is significant pressure on both Croatian and Serbian authorities to ramp up border processing capabilities, especially during high-volume periods like the holidays. By ensuring more counters are opened and optimized check procedures are put in place, officials aim to alleviate the stress for everyday travelers.
Whether or not travelers like Islam and Adnan will be able to rely on enhanced efficiency at border crossings remains to be seen. With hopes pinned on future improvements, families cope with the challenges of unexpected delays, reporting back home about their harrowing travel experiences.
