Türkiye has seen a remarkable reduction in dangerous driving violations, thanks to the implementation of stricter traffic laws and enhanced enforcement measures earlier this year. With amendments to the Highway Traffic Law taking effect on February 27, the country introduced harsher penalties for a variety of offenses that pose significant risks to road safety.
Official statistics highlight a dramatic improvement in dangerous lane-weaving violations, where drivers frequently switch lanes at high speeds in traffic. Between February 27 and May 31 last year, authorities recorded 47,380 such offenses, compared to just 3,306 during the same period this year, marking a 93% decrease. This significant drop is credited to the combination of stronger penalties and increased road inspections nationwide.
The crackdown has led to reductions across several other categories of traffic violations as well. Among these, tachograph-related offenses concerning commercial vehicle driving and rest-time records decreased by 80.2%, while speeding violations saw a 55.1% decline. Compliance with police stop orders improved, with violations falling by 52.4%, and helmet-related offenses dropped by 36.4%. Additionally, incidents of driving without a valid license decreased by 33.7%.
Authorities have also noted lower rates of violations such as wrong-way driving, traffic sign disobedience, red-light running, drunk driving, and seat belt infractions. These results highlight the government’s broader efforts to enhance road safety, mitigate accidents, and better protect lives and property throughout the nation.