Following claims of a 'trap set for citizens': U-turn on radar fines issued during the holiday

Increased radar inspections and high-amount traffic fines issued during the Eid al-Adha holiday brought about public backlash. Allegations that a large portion of the fines, applied within the framework of "traffic safety" and "strict inspection" policies, were issued due to incorrect signage and sudden speed drops have also been brought to the government's agenda.

According to Habertürk columnist Bülent Aydemir, the Ministry of Interior has established a commission to examine warning signs that reduce cruising speed. It was stated that the new Traffic Law proposal on the agenda of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) has been withdrawn until the commission's work is completed. In the evaluations made, it was emphasized that citizens were not complaining about the high cost of the fines, but rather about the irrationality in speed limit applications and the lack of warnings.

The main complaint topics that citizens brought to CİMER and social media platforms were listed as follows:

Incorrect placement of radar warning signs: Placing signs right in front of mobile radar devices instead of 200-300 meters before them.

Sudden speed limit drops: Placing a 50 km sign within a short distance in a region with a 110 km speed limit and placing a radar immediately after it.

Applications contrary to the laws of physics: Implementing low speed limits at points such as pedestrian crossings and school zones at distances where vehicles cannot brake suddenly.

Perception of a trap: Allegations that radar locations are determined for the purpose of generating revenue and the public perception that a "trap is being set" for citizens.

Excessive monetary fines: The economic devastation caused by fines issued according to the rates of exceeding the speed limit.

TARGET 55 BILLION, 54 BILLION IN FINES ISSUED IN 4 MONTHS

Future Party (Gelecek Partisi) Chairman Ahmet Davutoğlu also made an assessment regarding radar fines in his speech at the TBMM. Davutoğlu stated that while the traffic fine target for 2023 was 21 billion TL, 43 billion TL was collected, and the 2024 target is 55 billion TL. Emphasizing that 54 billion TL in fines were issued in the first four months of the year, Davutoğlu argued that radar applications have turned into a tool for "increasing the state's fine revenue."

The government decided to follow a new path regarding radar fines after intense complaints. Accordingly, mass cancellation of unfair fines is not possible, but citizens can object individually during the process. A driver who has been fined can apply to the criminal judgeship of peace in their jurisdiction with a petition if they believe the fine is unfair. The court will examine the application and decide to cancel the fine if it deems it appropriate. Judgeships have been issuing cancellation decisions in recent applications.

CURRENT AMOUNTS FOR RADAR FINES

The current amounts for traffic fines applied in 2025 are as follows:

For those exceeding the speed limit by 10-30%: 2,167 TL

For those exceeding the speed limit by 30-50%: 4,512 TL

For those exceeding the speed limit by more than 50%: 9,267 TL

Apart from these fines, penalty points accumulate for repeated speed violations, and the driver's licenses of those who reach 100 points can be temporarily confiscated.

After the radar fine is notified, it is necessary to apply to the criminal judgeship of peace within 15 days to object. Applications made after this period expires are not processed. Citizens can request photos and documents in their applications to support their claims that the device made an incorrect measurement.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The Ministry of Interior launched a project for 13 days between May 30 and June 11, aiming to maximize traffic safety with the slogan "May the end of the road be a holiday." Traffic inspections were initiated across Turkey, both on intercity roads and within cities, with 68,829 police and gendarmerie personnel. In addition to alcohol checks, day-and-night speed checks were carried out with 1,485 mobile radars. Aerial surveillance was provided for 6,339 hours with drones and helicopters. Inspections were carried out with 3,000 undercover passengers on buses carrying intercity passengers. During the 5-day Eid al-Adha holiday, 500,704 vehicles were inspected face-to-face. Criminal proceedings were applied to an average of 15,153 vehicles per day due to speed, 2,688 of which were on highways and 12,465 on other roads.