29.05.2025 09:40
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya introduced a new generation of radar devices that will be deployed across Turkey. The devices will not only monitor speed but also check seatbelt usage, and they will instantly reflect any traffic fines issued to the e-Government system. The devices will maintain the same quality of capture both day and night, and they will be particularly positioned in front of hospitals and schools.
While the law proposal containing regulations aimed at increasing traffic fines was accepted in the TBMM Justice Commission, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya shared details about the new period to be implemented in traffic.
Providing information about the 36-article law proposal, Yerlikaya introduced the 'Radarsan' device, which will start to be used across Turkey.
WILL CONDUCT SPEED AND SEATBELT CONTROL
Yerlikaya stated that the new mobile radar device named 'Radarsan' can capture images with the same quality both day and night, and emphasized that these devices will not only be used for speed control. The new generation radar devices will operate with artificial intelligence and will be able to instantly report whether drivers are wearing their seatbelts.
The traffic fines issued will be reported instantly by the device, which works in integration with the e-Government system, allowing drivers to quickly track their fines.
TRAFFIC FINES ARE INCREASING
On the other hand, Yerlikaya also answered questions regarding the Law Proposal for Amendments to the Highway Traffic Law, which is being discussed in the TBMM Justice Commission.
Providing information about the 36-article law proposal, Yerlikaya stated that in 2023, when he took office, an average of 17.9 people lost their lives in traffic accidents daily, and this number dropped to 17.4 in 2024.
Stating that they plan to reduce traffic fatalities by half by 2030 with the motto "Safe Traffic, Safe Turkey," and to zero by 2050, Yerlikaya explained that a three-year action plan has been prepared under the coordination of the Ministry of Interior.
Referring to traffic fatalities per 100,000 people in Turkey and some countries, Yerlikaya said, "In EU countries in 2015, it was 5.15, in Turkey it was 9.56. In Russia, it was 17.50, in the USA 12.10, in Canada 5.80, in Japan 4.20. What was our situation in 2020? Despite being the COVID period, Turkey decreased from 9.56 to 5.82. This is our lowest period in terms of numbers. It rose to 7.67 in 2023."
Yerlikaya reported that in 2002, the country's population was 66 million, the number of vehicles was 9 million, and that year the total loss of life was 9,005, with a daily loss of 24.7. He stated, "In 2021, our population was 84.6 million, and the number of vehicles was 25.2 million. The population increased by nearly 20 million, the number of vehicles rose to 25 million, and the loss of life decreased from 9,000 to 5,362."
Yerlikaya noted that the country's population is planned to be 88.1 million by 2030, stating, "Our number of vehicles will be 42.4 million. Despite this increase, our total loss of life target is 2,791. We will then bring this to zero loss of life over 20 years."
Stating that inspections increased by 50% in his first year in office, Yerlikaya reported that between 2023-2024, 41.3 million inspections were conducted face-to-face, and 10 million people were subjected to penalties.
THE NUMBER OF SECURITY PERSONNEL CARRYING BODY CAMERAS WILL REACH 111,000
Yerlikaya said, "As soon as I took office, I increased the number of police and gendarmerie vehicles in traffic by 48%. We increased the number of teams in traffic by 36%. The increase in radar is currently 17.5%, and we will increase this as well. The number of body cameras was 19,604 in 2023, and I increased it to 42,000 with a 117% increase. By the end of this year, it will reach 111,000, meaning everyone will have a camera like a service pistol."
Minister Yerlikaya emphasized that a facial recognition system will also be integrated into the cameras.
"AFTER THE REGULATION, THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES WITH FLASHING LIGHTS HAS DECREASED BY 80%"
Pointing out that there has been a significant public hatred towards illegal flashing lights, Yerlikaya said:
"The fine was 6,439 lira. We made changes to Article 26 of the Traffic Law. The fine is now 138,000 lira, we take the driver's license for 30 days, and the vehicle is banned from traffic for 30 days. In the second instance, it is 276,000 lira, and if it happens two or more times in a year, this penalty will be applied, and we take the driver's license for 60 days and ban the vehicle from traffic for 60 days. In 2023-2024, 100,249 vehicles with flashing lights were inspected, and we exceeded 336,000 by conducting 266% more inspections. Last year, we issued fines of 6,439 lira to 6,079 people, and suddenly (after the regulation came into effect) it dropped to 1,203. There is one person who has been penalized a second time. The number of vehicles with flashing lights has decreased by 80% after the regulation. I claim that by the end of the year, this rate will exceed 90%."
Yerlikaya stated that penalties will be applied to everyone using illegal flashing lights, regardless of public or private distinction.
Explaining that 10 people lose their lives daily due to speed violations, Yerlikaya noted that lane discipline, failure to yield, and running red lights are the most common mistakes leading to fatalities.
Pointing out that 84% of traffic fatalities occur due to these reasons, Yerlikaya said, "Unfortunately, every three days, one of our citizens loses their life due to running a red light."
Stating that speed violations account for one of the two rule violations in fatal accidents in 2024, Yerlikaya said, "The rate of speed violations among total rule violations in fatal accidents last year was 47%. Half of the deceased die from speed violations."
"1,356 PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN FRONT OF SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS"
Explaining that 3.5 million people were penalized for speed violations in 2023-2024, Yerlikaya noted that despite this, the number of accidents attributed to speed violations increased by 14%.
Recalling that according to TÜİK data, 79% of fatal and injury accidents in the last 10 years occurred within residential areas, Yerlikaya said:
"In other words, 4 out of 5 fatal accidents occur within the city. In speed-related accidents in residential areas, the loss of life from 2019 to 2024 is 12,140. The speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour applies in front of schools and hospitals. 1,356 people have died in front of schools and hospitals. In front of schools and hospitals, 723 pedestrians have died in 6 years. That is, 723 of the 1,356 are pedestrians. There are 169 school children aged 0-17. Again, during the same period, unfortunately, we have experienced 7,689 fatalities in areas with a 50-kilometer limit. Half of these were due to pedestrian collisions."
Yerlikaya announced that between 2019-2024, 12,140 people lost their lives in residential areas, while 6,590 people died in accidents between cities during the same period.
PENALTIES FOR DRIVING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION HAVE BEEN REVISED
Clarifying the regulations regarding speed violations, Yerlikaya continued his speech as follows:
"Data from the World Health Organization shows that every one-kilometer increase in speed increases the risk of death by 4%. We have done something like this: with a 5-kilometer tolerance, for example, if you are caught at 36 in front of a school with a 30-kilometer speed limit, we impose a fine of 2,000 lira. If you go from 36 to 40, it is also 2,000 lira. And here we have 4 brackets, we have created a system of 5s. Later, we move to a situation of 10s. When we catch someone at 76 in a place with a 30-kilometer limit, the fine is 20,000 lira, and we take their license for 30 days. (For 56-65 kilometers over the limit) the fine is 25,000 lira, we take it for 60 days, and when it is 66 kilometers or more, the fine is 30,000 lira, and we take the license for 90 days. If this situation is repeated 5 times within a year, we refer them for a psycho-technical evaluation and psychiatric examination.
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With the new generation tripod radars in residential areas and mobile radars inside vehicles, we will now conduct much more inspections.
"RADAR AREAS WILL BE VISIBLE WITH THE MOBILE APPLICATION"
Explaining that citizens will be able to see radar areas with the mobile application that will be activated, Yerlikaya said, "It's not a pinpoint, but it will say 'there are 8 radars within 5 kilometers.' Our goal is not to write fines, but to ensure that there are no casualties in residential areas, especially in front of schools."
Yerlikaya stated that the penalty for not complying with lane tracking rules is 5,000 lira, and this amount is 10,000 lira for heavy vehicles, adding, "Previously, the penalty for wrong-way violations was a single fine. We have reorganized this according to the risk of the roads. We set it at 10,000 lira for all vehicles on one-way roads. In divided roads within residential areas, it is 20,000 lira. If it is divided roads and highways outside the city, the fine is 90,000 lira, and we take the driver's license for 60 days, and the vehicle is banned from traffic for 60 days. The penalty for weaving is 90,000 lira, we confiscate the driver's license for 60 days, and the vehicle is banned for 60 days. This will definitely end, you will see."
THOSE WHO DO NOT GIVE WAY TO AMBULANCES AND FIRE TRUCKS WILL HAVE THEIR LICENSES SUSPENDED
Reminding that the current fine for violating right of way and intersection rules is 993 lira, Yerlikaya stated that when ambulances and fire trucks are not given way, a fine of 46,000 lira will be imposed, along with a 30-day license suspension and traffic ban. If other vehicles with right of way are not given way, a fine of 15,000 lira will be imposed, and if the right of way rules at intersections are not followed, a fine of 5,000 lira will be applied.
Yerlikaya pointed out that the current fine for red light violations is 2,167 lira, stating that for the first violation, the fine will be 5,000 lira, for the second 10,000 lira, for the third 15,000 lira, and a 30-day license suspension will be applied. Additionally, for the fourth violation, the fine will be 20,000 lira and a 60-day license suspension, for the fifth 30,000 lira and a 90-day license suspension, and for the sixth, 80,000 lira, along with a psycho-technical evaluation and psychiatric examination required for license revocation.
Addressing the issue of taxis, Yerlikaya noted that there will be a fine of 46,000 lira for not using/not turning on the taximeter, and the vehicle will be banned from traffic until the deficiency is corrected.
Yerlikaya stated that the fine for not using a tachograph device is 75,000 lira, and the vehicle will be banned from traffic until the deficiency is corrected. In cases of improper use of driver cards, the first offense will incur a fine of 75,000 lira, and for repeat offenses, 150,000 lira, with the vehicle owner facing double these fines, and a 30-day license suspension for the first offense and 90 days for repeat offenses.
Regarding interference with the tachograph device, Yerlikaya stated that the first offense will incur a fine of 185,000 lira, and for repeat offenses, 370,000 lira, with the vehicle owner facing double these fines, and a 30-day license suspension for the first offense and 90 days for repeat offenses, along with a traffic ban until the deficiency is corrected.
PENALTIES FOR MOTORCYCLE RIDERS WILL BE INCREASED
Yerlikaya shared data indicating that motorcyclists are at fault in two-thirds of traffic accidents, stating that for riders and passengers not wearing helmets/protective glasses, the first offense will incur a fine of 2,500 lira, the second 5,000 lira, and for the third and subsequent offenses, 10,000 lira, along with steps to prevent riding without a helmet.
In the new regulation, the penalty for not ensuring that children under 15 years old use protective equipment will be 5,000 lira, while performing acrobatic maneuvers will incur a fine of 46,000 lira, a 60-day license suspension, and a 60-day traffic ban. Racing in flowing traffic will also incur a fine of 46,000 lira, a 2-year license suspension, and a 60-day traffic ban.
After sharing the current penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs, Yerlikaya stated that in the proposed law, for driving under the influence of alcohol within the last 5 years, the first offense will incur a fine of 25,000 lira and a 6-month license suspension, the second offense 50,000 lira and a 2-year license suspension, and the third and subsequent offenses 150,000 lira and a 5-year license suspension.
Minister Yerlikaya stated that for driving under the influence of drugs, there will be a fine of 150,000 lira and license revocation, and for failing to undergo alcohol and drug testing, a fine of 150,000 lira and a 5-year license revocation will be imposed.
Regarding "failure to comply with a stop order," Yerlikaya said, "This is the rule violation that saddens me the most. In the last 6 years, we have had 29 fatalities, including 9 police officers who were my colleagues and 16 injured. They will just stop and take whatever penalty there is. They don't stop; they drive on."
Yerlikaya reminded that the current fine for failing to comply with a stop order is 2,167 lira, stating that for fleeing after failing to comply with the order, a fine of 200,000 lira and a 60-day license suspension will be applied.
Yerlikaya stated that for driving without a driver's license, a fine of 40,000 lira will be imposed, and for driving when the driver's license has been temporarily revoked or canceled, a fine of 200,000 lira will be applied.
Regarding drifting, Yerlikaya mentioned that the fine of 46,000 lira has been increased to 140,000 lira due to its dangerous and risky nature. They will confiscate the driver's license and vehicle for 60 days. If this is done a second time within the last 5 years, they will lose their license.
Regarding leaving the scene of an accident, Yerlikaya stated, "A person is waiting at the scene, has called 112, is in distress, psychologically devastated, but if other accident victims attack him out of their grief, and he flees in panic, that is called 'state of necessity,' my friends. Outside of that situation, leaving the scene of an accident incurs a fine of 46,000 lira, and we take the driver's license for 2 years, with a prison sentence of 1 to 3 years possible."
Yerlikaya drew attention to another new regulation, stating, "If you publicly share images of a traffic rule violation through press, media, internet, social, or digital media using electronic devices, there is an administrative fine of 25,000 lira."
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