Congestion across Europe as drivers set out on summer holidays

Traffic jams are wreaking havoc on European motorways as holiday makers head off to enjoy their summer holidays. 

The German Algemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club (ADAC) expects this weekend produce some of the worst traffic jams of the year across the country.  

The queues will be particularly noticeable on roads in Bavaria as tourists head to popular holiday destinations of Italy and Austria, according to the ADAC.  

The first major wave of travellers set out on Friday, but many families will also be making their way south over the weekend, ADAC traffic expert Alexander Kreip explained. 

14 kilometres of traffic jams were reported on the Bavarian A8 motorway heading to Austria, according to a German police spokesman. 

Queues on Slovenian road are also getting longer at the peak of the summer season – with this weekend marking the start of school holidays for some. 

Slovenian traffic safety agency AVP launched a warning campaign to remind drivers to take breaks on longer journeys and to stay hydrated on hot days.  

Traffic jams are expected on the western Ljubljana highway ring and on the Primorska motorway.  

Long queues could be seen in Croatia due to the uniquely high number of travellers and some traffic accidents. 

Traffic was forced to move in a single lane between the Zadar East and Zadar Center junctions in the direction of Zagreb after a traffic accident – with congestion ending up about 9km long. 

There is also congestion at the Split ferry port – with the ferry company Jadrolinija reporting record traffic statistics of 16,000 vehicles and 80,000 passengers. 

The Croatian Tourist Board is distributing bottles of water and car air fresheners at major toll plazas and ferry ports this weekend as a gesture of welcome to tourists.