Population Mobility Trends and Road Traffic Safety in the Republic of Croatia Respecting the Covid-19 Pandemic

Early in the spring of 2020, the COVID-19 disease pandemic occurred, and European Union members made the decision to restrict their borders to protect the public's health. Demand for travel and transportation services has decreased as a result of the epidemiological scenario brought on by the movement restriction. The research focuses on how mobility affects traffic safety in the Republic of Croatia, considering the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the aim of limiting human movement and contact in order to safeguard human health. In this paper, relevant traffic indicators and their effects on road traffic safety are analysed with the aim of analysing the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on mobility and traffic safety. The study compares safety indicators during different time periods, including before, during, and after the removal of restrictions prompted by a pandemic. The research aims to assess the impact of the pandemic on traffic safety and mobility patterns, providing valuable insights for future planning practices that incorporate emerging knowledge. The research aims to promote pedestrian and bicycle traffic, reduce air pollution, and contribute to global initiatives aimed at achieving road safety goals. Moreover, it offers a potential solution to help achieve the European policy targets for road mobility and safety by 2030.