Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya is taking tough measures against wedding and military convoys that endanger traffic by blocking bridges, tunnels and highways. Minister Yerlikaya announced that a new draft law has been submitted to the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) which includes a fine of up to 180 thousand liras, 120 days of confiscation of the driver's license and a vehicle ban from traffic for drivers involved in such actions. This step aims to create a deterrent effect, especially against convoys that block the passage of emergency vehicles and endanger public safety.
Convoy Fined for Not Giving Way to Ambulance
Minister Yerlikaya made his statements on the subject via his social media account. Sharing images of a wedding convoy traveling in the direction of AŞTİ on Konya Road in Ankara not giving way to an ambulance that was proceeding with its siren blaring, Yerlikaya stated that action was taken swiftly following this incident. As a result of the meticulous work carried out by the Traffic Control Branch Directorate teams, the drivers of the vehicles that did not give way to the ambulance, UG, BS, BK and BTS, were identified.
These drivers were fined a total of 49 lira for not giving way to the ambulance. In addition, legal action was initiated against UG, BK and BTS on charges of “endangering traffic safety” and their files were transferred to Çankaya Şehit Mustafa Düzgün Police Department. Minister Yerlikaya announced that all three vehicles involved in this incident were banned from traffic and towed to a parking lot.
New Bill in the Turkish Grand National Assembly
In order to prevent such incidents and ensure traffic safety, a new 36-article traffic safety bill prepared by the Ministry of Internal Affairs was submitted to the Turkish Grand National Assembly. The bill includes deterrent regulations against convoys that pose a threat to public safety and block the passage of emergency vehicles.
According to the new bill, if bridges, viaducts, tunnels and highways are blocked during military farewell and wedding convoys, the responsible vehicle drivers will be fined up to 180 thousand liras, their licenses will be confiscated for 120 days and their vehicles will be banned from traffic for 120 days.
Warning from Yerlikaya: Ambulances Are Racing Against Time
Minister Yerlikaya emphasized in his statement that ambulances are of vital importance and are racing against time. “We should not forget that ambulances carry lives and are racing against time. An ambulance that we do not give way to today may be trying to get us or someone we love very much to the hospital tomorrow. Therefore, with the bill we prepared, we have made new deterrent regulations in order to prevent such incidents.”
These new regulations send a clear message against convoys that endanger traffic safety and block the passage of emergency vehicles. Minister Yerlikaya’s statements emphasize that public safety and the priority of emergency vehicles are above all else. With the approval of the new bill in the Turkish Grand National Assembly, it is expected that such incidents will decrease and traffic safety will increase.
