Pavuna Reveals Whether Canceled Traffic Lane Will Return to Prilaz Gjure Deželića

Zagreb's head of traffic, Andro Pavuna, has voiced strong criticism regarding the growing problem of illegal parking in the city, particularly highlighting its impact on traffic flow. He noted that drivers frequently stop in the middle of roads, a habit that has become alarmingly common over the last decade.

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We were surprised a few years ago by some other cities where it was normal to stop in the middle of the road, and in the last 10 years, it has become the most normal thing in Zagreb.

Pavuna explained that in streets like Prilaz Gjure Deželića, which connect to major thoroughfares, illegally parked vehicles reduce the road's capacity. He stated that even a five-minute stop can cause a traffic jam that takes 45 minutes to clear, significantly disrupting the morning commute.

He expressed concern that fines for illegal parking are too low, citing a 30-euro penalty for parking in the middle of a "Green Wave" route, which drops to 15 euros if paid promptly. Pavuna believes these penalties are insufficient to deter drivers who, he observed, often leave their cars in the middle of the road for short errands without considering the inconvenience to others.

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Simply put, people in Zagreb have started doing something in the last 10 years that was previously unthinkable.

Regarding the removal of a traffic lane in Deželićeva street to create a bicycle path, Pavuna acknowledged its use but expressed reservations about placing bike lanes on sidewalks. He prefers not to take pedestrian space for cyclists, but conceded that the path addresses the needs of many cyclists transiting the city center.

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So, if you ask me, that solution is not final, but it is certainly better than it was.