School bell locks up traffic in Istanbul: Density reaches 60 percent

The orientation week for preschool and first-grade primary school students for the 2025-2026 academic year began today. With the end of the summer break, parents took to the roads in the morning hours to take their children to school. The congestion, which coincided with the first workday of the week, negatively affected Istanbul traffic.

CONGESTION ON MAIN ARTERIES

Vehicle density was observed on main arteries across the city from the early morning hours. Traffic flow slowed down, particularly in the Ankara direction of the E-5 Highway at the Yenibosna location. Similarly, vehicle traffic on the TEM Highway and connecting roads came to a standstill in some places.

IMM DATA: DENSITY AT 60 PERCENT

According to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) traffic density map, the density rate across the city was measured at 60 percent during the morning hours. Authorities warned that congestion would continue throughout the day around schools and on main routes.

Crowds formed in front of many schools in the morning hours due to the orientation week for preschool and first-grade primary school students. The fact that parents took to traffic with their vehicles to drop their children off at school further increased the congestion.

News Source: 12punto