Tougher traffic laws and enhanced enforcement in Türkiye have led to a significant drop in dangerous driving violations. Following amendments to the Highway Traffic Law that took effect on February 27, the country has seen a marked improvement in road safety. These changes introduced stricter penalties for various offenses that pose major risks on the road.
One of the most dramatic improvements was in the area of dangerous lane-weaving. This violation, which involves drivers frequently changing lanes at high speeds, saw a reduction from 47,380 offenses recorded between February 27 and May 31 last year to only 3,306 during the same period this year, amounting to a 93% decrease. Authorities credit this decline to both the harsher penalties and increased road inspections nationwide.
The overall crackdown on traffic violations has also yielded positive results in other areas. Offenses related to tachographs, which record commercial vehicle drivers’ work and rest times, dropped by 80.2%. Speeding violations saw a decrease of 55.1%, while failures to comply with police stop orders fell by 52.4%. Additionally, helmet-related violations and instances of driving without a valid license were reduced by 36.4% and 33.7%, respectively.
Moreover, authorities have observed fewer cases of wrong-way driving, violations of traffic signs, running red lights, drunk driving, and seat belt infractions. These efforts are part of a broader governmental initiative aimed at improving road safety, reducing accidents, and enhancing the protection of lives and property across Türkiye.