LAUSR

Abstract Careful consideration was given to the impact of the structure of Croatian road vehicle fleet on traffic safety, as well as on the environment and human health. The 2008 economic crisis and the consequences of Croatia's accession to the EU in 2013 were studied as the factors leading to unfavourable trends and changes in vehicle structure. In accordance with the national policy measures, the highest levies have been imposed on new vehicles. With the age of the vehicle there is a reduction in taxes, while vehicles older than 10 years have been exempted from taxes. Combinations of such unfavourable aspects have resulted in an increase in technical defectiveness and ecological unfriendliness of vehicles. Increasing technical defectiveness of vehicles directly reduces traffic safety. The impact of changes in vehicle structure on traffic safety, as well as on the environment and human health, was analysed on the basis of processed data from the Centre for Vehicles of Croatia (CVH). The results of the study indicate the consequences of adverse changes in vehicle structure through emissions, technical roadworthiness of vehicles and the number of fatalities in road traffic. Comprehensible and decisive national policy measures are required in order to reverse the adverse trends.