První nehoda v historii černohorského automobilismu?
The First Accident in the History of Montenegrin Motoring?

Summary/Abstract: Emerging from the rapid modernization of early twentieth-century Montenegro, the story of a 1910 postal vehicle crash on the mountainous road between Kotor and Cetinje offers a unique insight into the beginnings of motoring in the Balkans. Drawing on a recently rediscovered court file, the study reconstructs the circumstances of what was likely the first automobile accident in Montenegrin history and follows the legal proceedings that unfolded across Montenegro and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Central to the narrative is Czech driver Karel Černý, employed by the Laurin & Klement company, whose role in operating postal transport on challenging mountain routes symbolized the arrival of modern technology in a traditionally isolated region. The article places the accident within the broader context of Montenegro’s infrastructure development, postal services, and the introduction of motor vehicles under the rule of Prince Nikola I. Testimonies from passengers, company representatives, and witnesses reveal conflicting interpretations of the accident’s causes, including excessive speed, alcohol consumption, poor visibility, and difficult road conditions. The investigation highlights the practical challenges of early automotive transport as well as the complexities of cross-border judicial cooperation. Beyond reconstructing a single incident, the study illuminates the interaction between technological innovation, state modernization, and everyday life in the Balkans on the eve of the First World War, offering a valuable contribution to the history of transportation and mobility in Southeast Europe.

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