Turkey increases motorcycle inspections by 108 percent in 2026

The Turkish Ministry of Interior reported a significant increase in motorcycle inspections during the first eight months of 2026. A total of 9,891,408 motorcycles were inspected, representing a 108 percent increase compared to the average for the same period between 2021 and 2025.

Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi stated that the increased inspections, part of a new 'Motorcycle Inspection Action Plan', aim to improve driver and road safety rather than simply increasing penalties. The initiative focuses on preventing rule violations and accidents through a combination of inspections, education, and infrastructure improvements.

Data indicates that these measures have contributed to a reduction in traffic fatalities. During the first eight months of 2026, 2,839 people died in fatal or injurious traffic accidents, compared to 3,167 during the same period in 2025, preventing an estimated 328 deaths. Additionally, following traffic law amendments on February 27, 2026, the number of vehicles receiving penal actions decreased even as inspections rose.

Future plans under the Action Plan include developing specialized areas at traffic lights for motorcycles and conducting feasibility studies for controlled lane-sharing applications in pilot provinces to improve visibility and safety.