Association for Safe International Road Travel Road Safety Review: Turkey Know Before You Go Driving Culture Driving is on the right. • Driving standards are poor; many drivers lack Drivers are required to carry a valid license, good for adequate training. up to six months; vehicle registration and proof of • The majority of traffic crashes involve reckless driving. third-party insurance. Carrying a passport at all times is • Running red lights and stop signs is common. recommended. • Drivers often disregard lane markings and travel in Driving licenses without photos must be supplemented center of roadways, even on two-lane roads with with an International Driving Permit (IDP). traffic approaching. For safety, drive only during daylight hours and use only • Drivers may make left turns from the far right lane. major highways. • Traffic regulations are routinely ignored. Pedestrians account for 23 percent of all road crash fatalities. Pedestrians do not have right of way. • Use of turn signals is rare; drivers in rural areas may Blood alcohol limit is below 0.05 g/dl for all drivers; if not turn on headlights at night. passengers are present in vehicle, blood alcohol limit is • Drivers make sudden stops in roadways. zero. Enforcement is high; an estimated 3 percent of all • Drivers may give incorrect directions to travelers out traffic deaths are related to alcohol use. of politeness when answering questions. There are 12.3 road deaths per 100,000 people in Turkey, • Drivers and pedestrians frequently ignore pedestrian compared to 2.8 in Sweden and 3.1 in the UK. crossings. Road Conditions • There are a total of 67,933 km (42,211 miles) of roads. 24,082 km (14,963 miles) are paved, including 2,159 km (1,341 miles) of expressways. 43,251 km (26,875 miles) are unpaved. • The national network of motorways is called Otoyol or Otoban. Highway signs are green. • Most motorways are toll roads. Motorway tolls must be paid in local currency at tollbooths positioned at exits. • State highways are designated by three digits preceded by the letter “D.” • Road conditionsvary widely. Highways in popular tourist destinations in coastal, western and southwestern regions are generally well maintained and in good condition. • Highly congested roads and highways are common in and near cities. Traffic increases around the holidays of Ramadan and Bayram (also known as Eid al-Fitr). • Fasting is practiced during Ramadan; lack of food and water may adversely affect driver alertness. • Beyond major cities, road lighting is poor. • Pedestrian infrastructure is insufficient or nonexistent. • Modernization of roadways is ongoing. Be alert to uneven surfaces and inadequately marked lane changes near construction zones. • Unpaved roads are common in rural areas and villages. • Many smaller roads, particularly in rural areas, are unmarked. • Frequent public demonstrations may result in disruption of transportation and emergency services. • Roadblocks are common in the southeastern region. • Truck drivers may place big rocks in roadways to warn drivers that there is a large, stopped vehicle ahead. • Horse-drawn carts and slow-moving agricultural equipment are common on rural roadways. • Be alert to animals on or along roadways beyond urban areas. This includes large turtles. • Large packs of dogs in rural areas can present danger to pedestrians. • Avoid all road travel to areas within 10 km (6.2 miles) of the Syrian border. • Avoid non-essential road travel in these areas: »» Sirnak, Kilis City and surrounding areas. »» The Hatay and Van provinces. »» The eastern provinces of Diyarbakir, Tunceli and Hakkari. »» The Mount Ararat area, which is a Turkish military restricted zone. • There are many high mountain passes. Roads often lack guardrails. • The following roads may present particular challenges to motorists: Source: CIA Factbook ©ASIRT 2019 1 Association for Safe International Road Travel Road Safety Review: Turkey »» The D-400 is an extremely dangerous coastal road linking Yeşilköy and Kaş in the Antalya Province. The road is a popular scenic drive. Surfaces have serious deterioration along most of its length, with large potholes and crevices. There are steep drops on one side and cliff faces on the other. Multiple twists and sharp bends make the route particularly demanding. »» The D-915 in the Trabzon province is regarded as one of the world’s most difficult roads. It links the town of Of in the Black Sea region with Bayburt in Northeast Turkey. There are 29 hairpin turns along its 106 km (65.8 mile) length. The high-altitude road has poorly maintained asphalt at either end, and is in dangerous condition with a broken gravel surface and steep drops on either side for the majority of its length. Weather conditions including heavy mist contribute to limited visibility for much of the year. The road is subject to avalanches, deep snow accumulation and landslides. Surface ice may be present at any time of the year. »» The Cide–Kastamonu road is part of the D-010 in the Black Sea region. The road is narrow and winding with multiple blind curves. The asphalt surface is in poor condition in many areas. During winter months, wet and rainy conditions increase driving dangers. Long stretches of the road’s edge fall steeply into soft and unstable ground. Regional and Seasonal Conditions • Turkey is subject to severe storms, heavy rain, flooding, droughts, wildfires, snowstorms, earthquakes and tremors. • Strong aftershocks are possible up to a week following an earthquake. • Landslides may occur following tremors, seismic activity or heavy rain. • Storms and significant rainfall may obscure deep potholes and other road hazards. • In mountainous areas, heavy snow is common. Roads may not be cleared for some time. • Be familiar with emergency procedures. The Red Cross provides a website and free, downloadable emergency app: http://www.redcross.org/get-help/prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies Public Transportation • Public transportation is extensive in towns and cities. Options include buses, taxis, minibuses, funiculars, ferries, trams and metro. • Use of any form of public transportation in the southeastern region of Turkey is unsafe. • A bus network covers most of the country. Tickets must be purchased in advance. • Bus travel, particularly in southeastern Turkey, is not recommended. There are high numbers of fatal crashes involving buses. • There are multiple tram routes in Istanbul. • The train system is limited. High-speed rail service is available between Istanbul and Ankara. • There is a modern subway system in Istanbul. Other cities with metro systems include Ankara, Izmir and Burza. • Official city taxis are typically bright yellow in color with “Taxi” signs on rooftops. • Licensed taxis are metered. Drivers may not turn on meter unless directed to do so by passenger. • Shared taxis are called “dolmus.” Dolmus operate on fixed routes. Maximum Speed Limits • Passenger ferries and water taxis are available in coastal areas and in cities with river access. Type of road Maximum speed 50 kph • Boats are generally overcrowded and lack adequate life saving and Urban areas (31 mph) navigational equipment. 110 kph Rural roads • If traveling by boat, bring your own life preserver. (68 mph) 120 kph Motorways Traffic Regulations (74 mph) • Speed limits on some motorways have recently been increased. • Roundabouts are common; many are equipped with traffic signals. Always adjust speed according to signage, hazards and weather conditions.
Signs are generally pictorial and may not follow European Union conventions.
No Stop Road Highway Use of snow No Pedestrians Direction Lane stopping narrows begins chains obligatory pedestrians only of traffic direction; road narrows
©ASIRT 2019 2 Association for Safe International Road Travel Road Safety Review: Turkey • A single, downward facing Ankara (Capital) arrow on a road sign »»Second largest city. Traffic is chaotic. Driving is not recommended. means to move forward. »»The city is sprawling with multiple districts and an historic center called Ulus. • Yield signs may contain »»Public transportation is well developed, with a network of metro, bus and light rail. wording reading “Yol Ver,” »»The main part of the city is bisected by Ataturk Blvd. running north-south. meaning to give way. »»Pedestrians should exercise extreme caution. Drivers typically disregard crossings. • Minimum age to drive is 18. »»The Ankara rapid transit system has two lines: Batıkent Metrosu (M1) and Keçiören Rental agencies generally Metrosu (M4). The system also includes a light rail line known as the Ankaray line. require drivers to be »»ASTI (Ankara Intercity Terminal) is the main bus station. Buses include Municipality at least 21; individual buses and public buses. agencies may have »»Municipality buses are either blue or red with dark blue stripes. Pre-purchased different restrictions. electronic tickets are required. • Driver and all passengers »»Private buses operated by Halk Otobüsü are blue or green. Cash is accepted. must use seat belts. »»ASTI is connected to Kızılay Square and other locations via underground metro. • Children up to 36 kg (79 »»Buses generally offer faster service than trains. pounds) and 135 cm (4 »»Ankara is the center of the Turkish railway system. feet, 4 inches) in height »»High-speed service is available to Istanbul, Eskisehir and and Konya. must be seated in child »»Taxis and shared dolmus taxis are available at multiple city locations, including train safety restraints. and bus stations, main tourist sites and hotels. • Children ages 12 and older »»Taxis are bright yellow in color with “Taxi” signs on rooftops. may ride in front seats »»Licensed taxis are metered. Drivers may not turn on meter unless directed to do so. of vehicles if secured »»Ankara Esenboğa International Airport is 28 km (17.3 miles) northeast of the city. in an appropriate child Limited international service is available. restraint. »»Transportation options to the city include the Havaş Shuttle, taxi, bus and rental car. • Helmet use is compulsory »»Havaş Shuttles depart every half hour from the ASTI passenger arrivals hall from for motorcycle drivers 3:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and passengers. »»Public Bus 442 offers service to city center from both terminals at the passenger Enforcement is high. exit. Buses are operated by Municipal Public Transport. • On-the-spot fines are »»Taxis are available 24 hours daily. Taxi queues are located at ranks outside of the common for minor arrivals hall of both terminals. offenses. Drivers without »»Both major and local car rental agencies are represented at the airport. adequate funds will be taken to a bank or Istanbul cash machine; if unable »»Turkey’s largest city is dived into two sections by the Bosphorus Strait, separating to pay, vehicle will be Asia and Europe. impounded. »»Driving is not recommended. Traffic is heavy and drivers behave unpredictably. • Both mobile and fixed There are an estimated 1,500,000 registered vehicles in the city. speed cameras are »»Major roadways are the O1, O2, O3 and O4. widespread. »»The O1 is an inner ring road; the O2 is the outer ring road which extends across the • Police may carry out Faith Sultan Mehmet (Second Bosphorus) Bridge and west to Edirne. random breath tests for »»The O4 extends east to Ankara. alcohol use. Drivers who »»The O2, O3 and O4 are part of European route E80 (the Trans-European Motorway). fail test may be taken a »»Pedestrian infrastructure is underdeveloped. Both motorists and pedestrians distance of 20 miles from frequently ignore available crossings. checkpoint and required »»Public transportation options include trams, funiculars, metro, buses, ferries and to walk back under police rapid transit bus. Most tickets cover all forms of transport within the city system. escort. »»The city’s metro consists of five lines: M1, M2, M3 and M6 on the European side, • Turkish law requires and M4 on the Asian side. Other lines are under construction. all vehicles to be »»Tram lines cover most of the Old Istanbul peninsula. equipped with two »»Bus services are operated by Istanbul Municipality Buses and private Orange Buses. warning triangles, a fire »»The Metrobus is part of the rapid transit bus line and provides service across the extinguisher and Bosphorus Bridge, connecting the two sides of the city. a first-aid kit. ©ASIRT 2019 3 Association for Safe International Road Travel Road Safety Review: Turkey
»»Istanbul Seabuses include passenger and passenger-car ferries across the Bosphorus Strait and to the Black Sea. »»There are two main train stations: Haydarpaşa Train Station (Asian side), and Sirkeci Train Station (European side). »»Train service to Ankara and other Turkish destination is available. »»Official taxis are yellow in color and have a “Taxi” sign on the roof. Taxis are metered, but drivers may not activate meter unless directed to do so. »»Taxis include yellow dolmus shared taxis that travel on fixed routes throughout the city. »»Night taxi rates apply after midnight. »»There are two international airports: Istanbul New Airport and Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport. »»Istanbul New Airport is 50 km (31.1 miles) north of the old city center on the European side. »»Buses are available from the airport to Taksim Square in city center. »»Taxi fares from the airport are not fixed; heavy traffic frequently causes extended delays to the city. »»Private airport shuttles offer fixed rates. Vehicles may be in better repair than city taxis. »»A metro line from the airport to city center is planned; construction is underway. »»Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport is 32 km (20 miles) southeast of the city center on the Asian side. »»Transportation options to the city include public bus, private bus, sea bus and car. »»Havabus shuttle buses are white in color and are located outside of the arrivals area. »»Sea Bus service can be accessed at Pendik Sea Bus Port, 14 km (8.6 miles) from the airport. Shuttles provide service between the airport and sea port. »»Both major and local car rental agencies are represented at both airports. Emergency Information • Responders to emergency numbers may not speak English. »» Police, ambulance and fire: 112 »» Traffic police: 155 »» Rural police (Jandarma): 156 • Pre-program emergency numbers into your phone before departure. • Responses to emergency situations may be slow, particularly in rural areas. Heavy road congestion may affect ability of emergency responders to reach crash sites. • Beyond major cities, standards of hospital care vary widely. Medical care in small cities and rural areas is generally not up to Western medical standards. • If involved in a crash: »» Call police at 112 for crashes with injuries or damage. »» Activate hazard lights. Place warning triangles beyond vehicle along roadway to warn approaching drivers. »» If there are injuries, do not move vehicle until directed by police. »» Take photographs of scene if possible. »» Collect contact information, plate number, driver’s license number and vehicle registration from other driver(s) and any witnesses. »» Request copy of report from traffic police for insurance agency or rental car company. • If involved in a crash without injuries: »» For crashes with no injuries or serious damage, call traffic police at 155. »» Law requres that an official crash form be filled out. Forms are in Turkish only; non-Turkish speakers should wait for police to arrive before filling out form. ASIRT is a non-profit humanitarian organization established in memory of Aron Sobel, age 25, who was killed along with 22 other passengers in a Pamukkale Bus Company crash on the roads of Turkey.
Disclaimer: ASIRT provides this information as a service to travelers. This Road Safety Review is intended to provide general guidelines for travelers to countries around the world. Any electronic links provided in this Report are for illustrative purposes and ASIRT is not responsible for the content provided within these electronic links and/or videos.
Copyright: Purchasers of this Road Safety Review are entitled to use it for purposes of research, education, information on health, safety and general road and traffic conditions or other non-commercial uses. Neither the whole nor any part of this ASIRT Road Safety Review may be copied in any form or provided to any other party without the prior written consent of the copyright owner. Flag images are © Central Intelligence Agency World Factbook.
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