Turkey’s parliament is scheduled to resume debate this week on a draft law that will profoundly change traffic regulations by significantly increasing fines and penalties, after the first 17 articles of the proposal were already approved in the Turkish Grand National Assembly. The new Road Traffic Law envisages not only higher fines, but also licence withdrawals, vehicle confiscation and even prison sentences for drivers who commit offences such as speeding, aggressive driving or running red lights.
According to Turkish media reports, the proposed legislation states that drivers who deliberately alter their number plates in a way that makes them difficult or impossible to read will be fined 140,000 Turkish Liras (€2,730) and have their vehicles confiscated for 30 days. In addition, if the modifications made to the vehicles generate noise levels that are disturbing to people in the vicinity, the driver will be fined 16,000 Turkish Liras (€311).
More severe penalties for speeding
Motor vehicles used for the transport of goods with a maximum authorised weight of more than 3,500 kilograms, as well as passenger vehicles (including buses) with more than 17 seats including the driver, must be fitted with a tachograph; in addition, taximeters will be compulsory in all vehicles providing taxi services.
Drivers who exceed the speed limit in residential areas by 46 to 55 km/h will have their licence withdrawn for 30 days; those who exceed the speed limit by 56 to 65 km/h will lose their licence for 60 days; and those who exceed the speed limit by 66 km/h or more will have their licence withdrawn for 90 days on each occasion.
Drivers who fail to yield properly to other vehicles will be fined 15,000 Turkish Liras (€290); in addition, those who fail to yield to ambulances, vehicles transporting injured or critically ill patients, as well as fire trucks or vehicles fighting forest fires, or who fail to stop when required, will be fined 46,000 Turkish Liras (approx. €900) and have their licence withdrawn for 30 days.
More penalties against aggressive drivers
In addition, drivers who persistently pursue another vehicle with the intention of causing aggression, or who get out of their vehicle for that purpose, will be subject to an administrative fine of 180,000 Turkish Liras(€3,500), their licences will be withdrawn for 60 days and their vehicles may be withdrawn from circulation for 30 days.
Drivers who cause traffic accidents by running red lights will have their licences withdrawn for 60 days; and those who use mobile phones, in-vehicle phones or other similar communication devices while driving will be fined 5,000 Turkish Liras (€98). The withdrawn licences will only be returned at the end of that period after the driver has undergone a psycho-technical evaluation and it has been determined that there is no impediment to regaining the driving licence.
Finally, the new law expected to be passed in Turkey stipulates that motor vehicle drivers who take part in races will be fined 46,000 Turkish Liras (€897) and have their licence withdrawn for two years. In addition, if a driver leaves the scene of a traffic accident that has caused death or injury without authorisation, he or she – unless there is an exonerating circumstance of urgent necessity – will be sentenced to between one and three years’ imprisonment.
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Edited and reviewed by:
Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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