New draft ready: Multiplier penalties coming for chain traffic offenses
Drivers who commit consecutive traffic violations will be evaluated under the scope of 'chain violations.' With the new regulation, increased penalties will be applied to drivers who commit multiple traffic offenses.
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AKP legal experts and the Ministry of Interior are working on a draft law that includes heavy penalty sanctions for drivers who commit traffic violations.
According to the report by Yücel Kayaoğlu from Türkiye Gazetesi, the draft envisions more deterrent penalties against behaviors that invite accidents, such as speeding, running red lights, lane violations, and improper overtaking.
In this context, a meeting was held at the Presidential Palace with the participation of the AKP group management and representatives of the relevant ministries. In the presentation made by the Ministry of Interior, it was shared that 6 thousand 450 fatal or injury-causing accidents occurred within 2024, and approximately 45 percent of these accidents were caused by speeding.
Furthermore, it was emphasized that 1,300 of the accidents were caused by improper lane changes, while the rest resulted from improper turns, inappropriate overtaking, and red light violations.
STRICT MEASURES ON VEHICLES WITH SIRENS YIELDED RESULTS
According to information obtained from AKP lobbies, an assessment was made stating, “Traffic offense penalties in Turkey have remained very low. For example, when we increased the penalty for vehicles with unauthorized sirens, the number of those who did not comply with this ban decreased by 75 percent. Because the penalties became deterrent. There is a fine of up to 150 thousand liras and the sanction of license suspension for the use of unauthorized vehicles with sirens. Also, when you look at the inspections, you see a person who came from Europe and never received a traffic ticket there. But in Turkey, many penalties have been applied. This situation stems from the fact that the penalties are low. Because the person risks violating traffic rules anyway, thinking the penalty is small.”
AGGRAVATED SANCTIONS FOR CHAIN IRREGULARITIES
One of the striking regulations of the draft is aimed at traffic violations committed in succession. AKP officials commented on this issue, saying, “A person ran a red light in traffic, then committed a lane violation, and then cut someone off. Since there is a chain situation here, it will be considered an aggravating factor in the penalties.”
Thus, if a driver breaks more than one rule in a short period, the penalty amount will increase gradually accordingly.