30.04.2025 09:00
A new bill has been prepared by the Ministry of Justice to reduce fatal traffic penalties and eliminate the perception of impunity. The proposal, which will be presented to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey next week, includes several regulations, primarily the revocation of the driver's license for those who violate red lights three times. The proposal also includes a provision for the right to home confinement for seriously ill prisoners through amendments to the execution law.
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The new judicial package prepared by the Ministry of Justice aims to increase safety in traffic and make the penal system fairer, with the AK Party preparing to submit two separate legislative proposals to the Parliament. These regulations include significant changes for both drivers and prisoners.
HEAVY PENALTIES FOR TRAFFIC RULE VIOLATORS
Especially aimed at preventing fatal traffic accidents, the traffic safety regulation will be on the agenda of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey next week. According to the proposal, fines for dangerous behaviors such as running a red light, driving under the influence, failing to yield to ambulances, speeding, and weaving will be significantly increased.
THOSE WHO RUN A RED LIGHT THREE TIMES WILL LOSE THEIR LICENSE
According to the new proposal, drivers who repeat running a red light three times or continue to drive under the influence may have their licenses revoked. This step aims to provide deterrence against the perception of impunity. It is noted that approximately 60% of the nearly 5,000 fatal accidents that occurred last year were due to speeding, running red lights, and lane violations.
AGE AND HEALTH REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSE RENEWAL ON THE AGENDA
The legislative proposal also plans to impose a requirement for a health and eye report for those wishing to renew their licenses after a certain age. The age limit is expected to be set at 75, while this detail will be clarified during the parliamentary process.
HEAVY PENALTIES FOR VIOLENCE IN TRAFFIC ON THE WAY
A separate regulation targeting individuals who exhibit aggressive behavior, threaten, or hit and run after getting out of their vehicles will also come with the second legislative proposal. Penalties for such crimes against society will be increased. Authorities emphasize that all regulations have been prepared in accordance with the Constitutional Court's principles of "proportionality" and "measurability."
60,000 PEOPLE HOPE FOR RELEASE WITH THE PENAL REGULATION
The second legislative proposal highlights radical changes to the penal system. The goal is to establish a fairer balance between the duration of the sentence and the crime committed. In this context, the duration of stay in a closed prison for sentences under 2 years will be redefined. Criteria such as good behavior and remorse will be evaluated.
THOSE WHO COULD NOT ENTER PRISON DURING COVID WILL ALSO BENEFIT
Those who committed crimes before July 31, 2023, and could not enter prison due to the regulation that came into effect in April 2020, which aimed to reduce overcrowding in prisons, will also benefit from the new proposal. These individuals will be granted 5 years of supervised release. According to the Ministry's analyses, approximately 60,000 people may be released under this scope.
HOME EXECUTION OPTION FOR SERIOUSLY ILL PRISONERS
A right to home execution is coming for prisoners who are too ill to serve their sentences in prison. Prisoners suffering from diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, with sentences under 5 years, will be able to benefit from this right based on a health report obtained from the Forensic Medicine Institution. Thousands of individuals are expected to be affected by this regulation.
REVIEW OF EXECUTION RATES FOR SERIOUS CRIMES
It is also planned to review the current execution rates for serious crimes such as terrorism, murder, sexual abuse, and drug offenses. Currently, three-quarters of the sentence is being served for these crimes, while a new formula is being worked on, taking into account the "half-execution" model used worldwide.
LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS TO BE PRESENTED TO PARLIAMENT BEFORE SUMMER RECESS
The AK Party aims to present these two legislative proposals to the Parliament to ensure safety in traffic and strengthen the sense of justice in the penal system, with the goal of enacting them before the summer recess. Both proposals contain changes expected to have a significant impact on the public.
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