According to traffic safety experts, such death tolls are not an “inevitable fate,” but rather the direct result of individual mistakes and structural deficiencies. Increased traffic congestion during holidays, as well as the hasty attitudes of citizens, their disregard for rules, and their lack of awareness about road safety, are among the main causes of accidents.
According to official data shared by the Ministry of Interior, over a thousand traffic accidents occurred from the first day of the holiday. Many citizens lost their lives in these accidents, while hundreds were injured.
The vast majority of accidents occurred due to carelessness, excessive speed, and fatigue.
Key statistics:
Fatalities: Over 70
Number of injured: Over 7000
Total number of accidents: 1,200+
Busiest accident day: Sunday, the day of return from vacation
Experts Warn: The Problem Will Continue Without Improved Traffic Culture
Traffic experts and civil society organizations point out that this tragic toll during holiday periods is repeated every year, emphasizing the need for traffic education to be given from primary school onwards, increased inspections and raised public awareness.
It was also stated that drivers getting behind the wheel without sufficient rest, especially on long journeys, leads to fatal consequences.
Statement from Minister Yerlikaya: “Even the Loss of a Single Life Is Too Much” Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, in a statement made at the end of the holiday, stated that all law enforcement agencies were on duty at the highest level in the field and that all necessary precautions had been taken. However, drawing attention to the importance of individual responsibility, he said: “The loss of life on the roads of our citizens who set out to reunite with their loved ones during the holiday is a shared sorrow for all of us. As a state, we are taking all necessary precautions, but we expect the same sensitivity from our citizens. Traffic is not only the responsibility of drivers, but the shared responsibility of all of us.” In Turkey, unfortunately, holiday periods are not only holidays but also periods when traffic culture and individual responsibility are tested. The emergence of similar tolls every year makes one wonder, “Will a lesson be learned this time?” This brings the question back to the forefront.
What Could the Solution Be?
Compulsory traffic education from primary school onwards
Intensive public service announcements and awareness campaigns before holidays
Widespread implementation of smart traffic systems on highways
Mandatory rest periods for long-distance drivers
Increasing Emergency Response Teams and Preventing Time Loss
Law Enforcement Was On Duty 24 Hours a Day, But…
The Ministry of Interior conducted inspections on hundreds of thousands of vehicles and drivers during the 9-day holiday. Many potential dangers were prevented thanks to checks on seatbelts, speed limits, drunk driving, and driver’s licenses. However, the limited effectiveness of the inspections has revealed the lack of education and traffic culture.
Final Word: May Holidays Bring Joy, Not Sorrow
Losses in traffic are not just numbers; they leave behind families, lost lives, and incomplete holiday meals. Holidays should represent reunions and joy, not sadness and tears. Therefore, traffic safety should be considered not only an individual responsibility, but also a social responsibility.
Remember: Arriving a few minutes late is much better than costing a lifetime.
