Sunday is World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. About 1.3 million people die in traffic accidents every year in the world, and Turkey is no different from other countries in terms of death toll. The vehicle, dubbed the “traffic monster” in the country, has claimed thousands of lives despite improved road conditions and improved safety checks.
More than 1.1 million traffic accidents took place in Turkey last year, killing 5,362 people and injuring another 274,615, official figures show. Compared to 2020, the number of victims has increased by more than 10%. Turkey reported more than 187,000 fatal traffic accidents in 2021.
Most deaths were among drivers and passengers, while pedestrians accounted for 22.1 percent of fatalities. The vast majority of traffic accidents are due to driver error, ranging from speeding to overtaking without following traffic safety rules.
In the first 10 months of this year, the number of traffic accident deaths in the traffic police area was 1,872. If the gendarmerie traffic police area, which is mainly in rural areas, is included, the death toll may be even higher. Turkey also reported more than 164,000 accidents during the same period, resulting in more than 244,000 injuries.
To reduce the death toll, the government is considering new measures. The Turkish President’s national plan for 2023 includes the stated goal of reducing traffic fatalities to 8.3 percent and conducting regular traffic inspections of 80 million motor vehicles and drivers. After checking, 5,000 drivers will be selected from the majority of car accidents caused by driver error, and each will take a safe driving course. The Home Office, which is responsible for traffic safety enforcement, is also working to increase enforcement capacity to improve enforcement of safety rules.
Turkey has developed an action plan covering 2021 to 2023 and is gradually implementing 441 items of the plan, focusing on simplifying cooperation between different ministries and public institutions to ensure traffic safety. A new plan is also in the works. The national plan includes campaigns to raise awareness of the issue, including a new campaign on social media and the use of smart road technology for more effective inspections. To pre-empt it, the government is also seeking to increase road safety training for young students who do not yet have driver’s licenses.
Global data show that between 200 and 50 million people suffer non-fatal injuries in traffic accidents, often resulting in permanent disabilities. Road traffic injuries also have a considerable economic toll on individuals, their families and entire countries, from treatment costs to lost productivity for victims and their families, according to the United Nations. Overall, road traffic accidents cost most countries 3% of their gross domestic product, according to the United Nations, and “more than 90% of road traffic deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Road traffic injury deaths are highest in the African region , which is lowest in the European region. Even in high-income countries, people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to be involved in road crashes,” says the United Nations Road Safety Awareness website.
