Throughout September, police will step up checks on speed, parking, crossings and buses around Istrian schools. The accident figures also show that children's road safety does not begin and end at a zebra crossing.
1,743 new journeys to school
With the start of the 2026/27 school year, 1,743 first-year pupils are new participants in Istria's road traffic. Many will navigate familiar streets regularly for the first time—on foot, by school bus or in their parents' car. Istria Police therefore announced stepped-up September measures under the slogan ‘Respect our signs’.
According to the authority, police officers will be present in school zones every day. This is a targeted back-to-school campaign, not a guarantee that an officer will stand outside every school at all times.
Checks cover more than speed
The focus includes speed limits, behaviour at pedestrian crossings and parking near schools. Improperly parked cars can obstruct sight lines—especially where small children are difficult to see between vehicles.
Police also plan to inspect school buses and the way children are transported. Before classes began, the statement says, roads and signs near schools were checked with the responsible bodies, and any defects found were reported for correction.
The accident figures extend to the back seat
In the first eight months of 2026, 39 children were injured in road traffic in Istria. Five suffered serious injuries and 34 minor ones. These figures cover Istria County and the stated period; they are not a nationwide annual total.
The role of the car is notable: 21 of the injured children were passengers in vehicles. School-route safety therefore does not end at the zebra crossing. A correctly used restraint suitable for the child and a fastened seat belt matter just as much.
Why slow does not automatically mean attentive
Lower speed creates reaction time, but the situation remains confusing when adults stop in a second row, reverse out of parking spaces or let children get out directly into the road. Where local conditions allow, the safer exit is on the pavement side.
Travellers and holidaymakers need the same level of attention. School times, local signs and crossings can appear unexpectedly in an unfamiliar town. A navigation prompt is no substitute for watching the road and pavement.
Children do not learn the route in a single lesson
The campaign also includes police visits to first-year classes. Officers will teach basic rules for the journey to school and for crossing the road safely. Practical repetition with parents nevertheless remains essential.
A good practice route is not necessarily the shortest. Fewer driveways, a clear crossing and an uninterrupted pavement may matter more than saving a few minutes. Children also need a clearly agreed place where they stop, wait and make eye contact.
The first weeks of September require extra time
On a school morning, unfamiliar routes, more parent drop-offs, buses and commuter traffic all converge. Allowing ten extra minutes avoids last-second turns, stops or overtaking. That reduces pressure precisely where a poor decision can be especially dangerous.
The announced checks are intended to make offences visible. Their greater effect comes only if drivers keep up the same behaviour without a police patrol: brake early, keep crossings clear, do not park on pavements and secure children correctly in the car.
What the figures show—and what they do not
The 39 injured children demonstrate a real need for prevention. Without a more detailed breakdown, however, they do not show at which schools, on which roads or in what circumstances the accidents occurred. They cannot be used to rank dangerous locations.
The practical conclusion is simpler: expect new, small road users in September and drive defensively in every school zone. Daily police presence supports that goal—it does not remove anyone's responsibility.
Evidence
Sources & date
Sources support the facts. Planning notes and recommendations are Golden Beach editorial assessments.
Time-sensitive information may change. Please check the linked primary source before travelling.
