Slovenia section control: 4 stretches on the way to Croatia

Slovenia has put up section control cameras on four motorway stretches. The system measures your average speed between two points instead of your speed at one spot. Three sections are around Ljubljana, the fourth is at the Trojane tunnels towards Maribor. Many drivers heading to Croatia, or home again, pass at least one of them. No fines are issued yet: the motorway company DARS held its first acceptance inspection on 16 October, and the police will set the start date after that (Žurnal24).

The four sections

Each section is measured in one direction. On the A1 between Logatec and Vrhnika towards Ljubljana, on the A2 between Ljubljana Brod and Vodice towards Kranj, on the A2 between Grosuplje and Ivančna Gorica towards Novo mesto, on the Višnjegorski klanec climb, and on the A1 between the Podmilj tunnel and Ločica towards Maribor (N1, 3 September). That last section is 11,906 metres long and includes the Trojane exit, according to Slovenia's Metrology Institute (gov.si).

How it works: a camera at the start records when a car enters the section, a second one at the end records when it leaves. Distance and time give the average speed (Index.hr). Covering 10 kilometres in 4 minutes means an average of 150 km/h. Braking just before a camera no longer helps. The iCar5 units come from the Belgian maker MacQ and were supplied by the company Intermatic (N1).

When the fines start

There is no date yet. The Metrology Institute approved three sections in early September, and since then their readings may be used in speeding cases (N1). The first verification of the fourth section at Trojane was completed on 16 September (gov.si). At the DARS acceptance inspection on 16 October some points were left open. According to the minutes they do not affect safe operation, but Intermatic has two months until a second inspection (Žurnal24).

After that the police take over the system, test it together with the data processing and then announce the start date. DARS says the public will be told in advance (N1, 4 September). The system was originally due at the end of March, later July and September were mentioned (N1). DARS says the aim is calmer traffic, not punishing drivers. During roadworks the measurement is switched off, and it does not follow variable limits shown on electronic signs (N1).

What it means for visitors

If you drive via the Karawanken tunnel and Ljubljana to Zagreb, you pass the Grosuplje to Ivančna Gorica section on the way out. On the way back towards the Karawanken you pass Ljubljana Brod to Vodice. Coming north from Istria or the Kvarner Gulf via Postojna, you pass Logatec to Vrhnika. On the route from Ljubljana towards Maribor and Graz you pass the Trojane section. Slovenia also requires a vignette; costs and tips are in our guide to driving to Croatia.

• Keep to the posted limit along the whole section, not just at the camera.
• According to Index.hr, speeding fines in Slovenia range from 40 to 1,200 euros depending on how fast you were (Index.hr).
• Variable limits on electronic signs still apply, even though section control does not check them.
• In Slovenia cars drive with lights on all year; in Croatia the rule applies from 1 November, details here.