Association for the Prevention of Traffic Accidents: government decisions increase confusion and undermine road safety

The Trafik Kazalarını Önleme Derneği (TKÖD) issued a strong statement, calling the road safety situation one of the country’s most pressing problems. According to the organization, the number of deaths, injuries, and material damage resulting from traffic accidents requires not fragmented decisions, but a comprehensive and scientifically grounded approach.

The association believes that recent statements and actions by the authorities are raising increasing questions and concern in society. In particular, criticism was directed at calls for “leniency” regarding violations involving mobile phone use while driving, as well as contradictory messages about fines from speed enforcement cameras.

According to TKÖD, serious confusion has arisen among drivers:

— it is unclear which cameras are operating and which will be replaced;

— there is no clear understanding of when and how fines are issued;

— the decision on the possible cancellation of fines over the past four months and statements about the non-enforcement of some penalties on roads with a 50 km/h limit remain poorly explained.

The organization emphasized that the lack of timely collection of fines for nearly three years has reduced their deterrent effect and undermined trust in the control system. In addition, revenue from fines has not been used to improve road infrastructure or equip the police.

Although the idea of phased fines was assessed as a step in the right direction, TKÖD notes that penalties alone are not enough. The association proposes introducing mandatory retraining for offenders, following the example of the United Kingdom, with the possibility of removing penalty points after completing courses.

For this purpose, experts believe the KKTCELL Traffic Education Park, under the authority of the Ministry of Transport, could be utilized.

The statement also lists factors that continue to threaten road safety:

• outdated driving school curricula and the absence of a written driving license examination;
• an increase in the permissible age of buses and heavy vehicle drivers;
• worn road markings and traffic signs;
• the admission to the market of vehicles without full import procedures and age restrictions.

Separate criticism was voiced regarding the slow actions of the authorities on the issue of Takata airbags. TKÖD believes that responsibility has largely been shifted onto car owners, whereas state institutions could themselves identify dangerous vehicles by chassis number.

The association called on the authorities to abandon decisions that increase uncertainty and to focus on implementing scientifically validated measures, where the preservation of human life takes priority over short-term or political steps.