05.03.2026 00:01
Moments were recorded by passengers when the driver of a metrobüs operated by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality's IETT was watching a video on his phone while driving. In the incident that occurred in the vehicle heading towards Söğütlüçeşme, the driver's complete focus on the phone screen and the vehicle swerving on the road caused great fear. Those moments, which put the lives of hundreds of passengers at risk, once again raised discussions about safety vulnerabilities in transportation.
An incident that left many astonished occurred today during the afternoon hours on the metrobüs, which is the most critical transportation line in Istanbul. The driver of a metrobüs traveling on the Söğütlüçeşme line watched a video on his phone while disregarding the lives of hundreds of passengers.
PASSENGERS SUSPECTED THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING
The incident took place around 1:00 PM today. Passengers on the metrobüs heading towards Söğütlüçeşme noticed that the vehicle was moving erratically on the road and frequently veering out of its lane. A passenger, curious about why the vehicle was shaking, was shocked by the scene he saw when he looked towards the driver's seat.
WATCHING A VIDEO WHILE DRIVING
The metrobüs driver was seen holding the steering wheel with one hand while gripping his phone with the other, focusing on the video on the screen. During one of the busiest traffic hours, the driver, who was controlling the massive vehicle at high speed with one hand, was recorded by passengers as he continuously looked away from the road to check his phone.
"WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR LIVES?"
The passenger who recorded those moments expressed his fear with the following words:
"The metrobüs was moving very erratically on the road, constantly swaying. When I looked at the driver, I saw that he was watching something on his phone. The lives of hundreds of people are entrusted to the irresponsibility of a single person."
After the footage spread on social media, citizens called on İETT and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) to take urgent action regarding the driver in question.