Kar-İş: Responsibility for Road Safety Cannot Rest Solely on Drivers

Fuat Topaloğlu, Chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Modern Public Transport Carriers Association (Kar-İş), issued a written statement regarding the bus accident that occurred on the Famagusta–Lefkoşa highway near the Haspolat roundabout.

In the address, Topaloğlu wished a speedy recovery to the injured and expressed hope that such incidents would not happen again. At the same time, he emphasized that some public comments directed at carriers and drivers use a generalizing and accusatory tone, shaping negative public opinion.

According to the head of Kar-İş, road safety is a complex issue, and reducing the causes of accidents solely to driver error is a one-sided and incomplete approach. He reminded that:

• Decisions on which vehicles can be imported and under what technical standards they are registered are made by government agencies;
• Technical inspections are carried out by authorized structures within the framework of current legislation;
• Road infrastructure, engineering solutions, and safety systems are within the area of responsibility of relevant departments, not the carriers.

Topaloğlu noted that the implementation of modern safety systems in heavy vehicles is only possible with a clear and mandatory legislative framework. If such requirements are introduced, it is necessary to pre-determine a transition period, sources of funding, and an incentive system, as well as to create a technical commission and ensure transparent control.

"Our drivers are the laborers of this country, and the transport sector is the backbone of its transportation system. We reject attempts to present the industry as the sole culprit for systemic problems," the statement reads.

Kar-İş expressed readiness for constructive cooperation with relevant departments on improving safety but emphasized they would not remain silent regarding attempts to undermine the sector's reputation and blame drivers without a comprehensive analysis of the situation.