Turkey electric scooter accidents cause 6 deaths and 2,833 injuries

In the first eight months of 2026, electric scooter accidents in Turkey resulted in 6 deaths and 2,833 injuries. Official data indicates that scooter riders were found at fault in 69.8% of these incidents, either solely or in conjunction with other drivers.

Common accident types include side collisions (1,072 cases), scooter overturns or skidding (536 cases), and head-on or rear-end collisions. Additionally, 237 accidents involved scooters striking pedestrians. These incidents accounted for 1.3% of all fatal and injurious traffic accidents in the country during this period.

Safety concerns are being exacerbated by unregulated usage, such as riding on sidewalks and underage operation. While administrative fines exist for violations like double riding, enforcement remains a challenge. In a notable incident in Ankara, journalist Murat Yetkin suffered broken bones after being struck by a child on a scooter at a pedestrian crossing. Discussions are ongoing regarding mandatory helmet laws for those under 18 and software-based speed restrictions near schools and hospitals.