Turkey implements safe system approach to reduce traffic fatalities

Turkey is adopting a “safe system approach” to reduce traffic fatalities, aiming to lower the number of deaths from 6,035 in 2025 to 4,000 by the end of 2027. This strategy, outlined in the 2027 Presidential Annual Program, acknowledges that road users are prone to error and treats road safety as a shared responsibility among all actors in the transport system.

Key infrastructure initiatives include the implementation of “self-expressing roads,” which use standardized signage, lights, and markings to help drivers understand road conditions, and “forgiving roadsides” designed to minimize damage or prevent collisions when errors occur. The program also prioritizes preventive maintenance to reduce vehicle operating costs and address traffic bottlenecks.

In conjunction with these long-term goals, the General Directorate of Highways is currently conducting various maintenance and repair works across several major routes, including the O-3, Izmir-Aydin, and Ankara-Nigde motorways. These works have resulted in temporary traffic adjustments, such as lane closures and two-way traffic flows in specific sections, to ensure worker and driver safety.