It’s important to work at safe driving in Turkey. The motor vehicle accident rate is among the highest in the world, but there’s lots you can do to avoid accidents and have a safe trip.
The government is struggling to deal with what is known locally as the Traffic Monster (Trafik Canavari): signs, television programs, police checkpoints and public service bulletins seek to make Turkey’s roads safer. Progress is being made, but it’s going to take more years of education.
I’ve driven tens of thousands of kilometers on Turkish roads without a mishap, but I drive very defensively. Don’t let the scary statistics keep you from considering car travel, which can be wonderful.
The cardinal rules of safety to survive Turkish driving are:
1. Drive very defensively
2. Avoid driving at night
3. Never let emotions affect what you do
For more tips on how to increase your safety while traveling by bus, see ASIRT, the Association for Safe International Road Travel.
You can have a safe and enjoyable auto trip in Turkey. Click to the page links below for more info:
Turkish Driving Habits & Customs
Defensive Driving
Driving During Ramazan (Ramadan)
Documents & Vehicle Equipment
Best Travel Agencies