Drivers in Hungary faced a difficult Saturday as a series of crashes disrupted traffic on major motorways and roads across the country. The latest collision occurred on the M1 near Tatabánya, one of the main routes between Budapest and the Austrian and Slovak borders, while other accidents affected the M0 ring road, the M7 motorway and roads in Budapest and several regional cities.

As Blikk reported, emergency services were called to six traffic accidents across Hungary in less than an hour on Saturday morning, between 11:01 and 11:59. In several locations, roads or ramps had to be closed, while a rescue helicopter was dispatched to one of the scenes.

New crash on the M1 near Tatabánya

Two vans and a passenger car collided at kilometre 56 of the M1 motorway near Tatabánya, on the side heading towards Budapest.

According to Hungary’s disaster management authority, material from the crash was spilt onto the carriageway, and firefighters were working to clear the road. Traffic disruption was reported in the area.

The location is particularly important for international travellers. The M1 is Hungary’s main motorway connection from Budapest towards Győr, Vienna and the Austrian border, while traffic towards Bratislava also uses the M1 before turning onto the M15.

The latest collision came shortly after another serious disruption on the same motorway.

Earlier on Saturday, five vehicles collided near Szárliget and Óbarok. Útinform reported an eight-kilometre queue towards Budapest and around three kilometres of congestion in the direction of Hegyeshalom following that crash.

Drivers travelling between Budapest and western Hungary or Austria should therefore expect longer journey times on the M1.

Rescue helicopter called to crash near the M0

Another accident occurred at Gyál, just outside Budapest, where a passenger car and a motorcycle collided on Kőrösi Road near an access ramp to the M0 motorway. A rescue helicopter was sent to the scene and the affected ramp was closed while emergency services worked there.

The M0 forms the main ring road around Budapest and is widely used by international traffic avoiding the city centre, particularly drivers travelling between the M1, M5 and other motorways.

Accident on the M7 near Lake Balaton

An accident also disrupted travel on the M7 motorway, one of Hungary’s busiest tourist routes. Near Balatonvilágos, at kilometre 92, a car travelling towards Budapest left the motorway and ended up among bushes beside the road.

Both people inside the vehicle were able to get out without assistance. Firefighters had to use chainsaws to clear branches and vegetation around the car before they could secure the vehicle. Ambulance crews were also called to the scene.

The M7 connects Budapest with Lake Balaton and, further south-west, routes towards Croatia and Slovenia, making disruptions particularly relevant to tourists and international drivers.

By early Saturday afternoon, another accident was also causing congestion on the M7 near Pákozd. Two cars collided at kilometre 54 on the side heading towards Letenye, leaving only one lane open and creating a queue of almost four kilometres, according to traffic information cited by local media.

Crash also causes disruption in Budapest

Budapest itself was not spared from Saturday’s series of accidents. Shortly before noon, a car crashed into a tree at the intersection of Gergely Street and Alkér Street in Kőbánya, Budapest’s 10th district.

Two people were inside the vehicle. Emergency services worked at the scene under a full road closure, which also affected public transport in the area.

Another collision occurred in Ónod in north-eastern Hungary, where two cars carrying a total of four people crashed near the junction of Nyéki, Rákóczi and Szent István streets.

Drivers advised to check conditions before travelling

Traffic conditions may change quickly as damaged vehicles are removed and roads reopen.

Travellers heading towards Austria or Slovakia via the M1, Lake Balaton or Croatia via the M7, or around Budapest on the M0 should check live traffic information before setting off and allow additional travel time.

The M1 is particularly affected, with multiple crashes occurring on the motorway within a relatively short period on Saturday.

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