Driver Safety

Driver Safety Briefing

The cardinal rules of safety while driving in Turkey are: drive very defensively, avoid driving at night, and keep your emotions in check.

The Regional Security Office has analyzed American employee accidents that have occurred during the past several years in order to identify "lessons learned" that can be utilized to increase driver safety, prevent injuries and perhaps even save lives.  The conclusion is that many of the accidents -- not all, but many--were avoidable.

A number of accidents occurred when a local driver stopped, turned, or took unexpected action that resulted in the U.S. driver hitting another vehicle or being struck by a third vehicle.  Many of the "unexpected" actions were unexpected according to U.S. driving practices but are quite common in Ankara, Istanbul and other parts of the country.  About half of the accidents were clearly, according to local standards, the fault of the non-U.S. drivers.  The key to reducing accidents is situational awareness, concentration and extremely defensive driving.        

In the congested city of Istanbul, a high percentage of traffic-related deaths are pedestrians.  The highest risk group for pedestrians is children and adolescents -- totaling about 40 percent. Statistics released by the Istanbul Traffic Police indicate that evening rush hour (5-8 p.m.) is the most dangerous time on local highways.  Not surprisingly, it is also the time of day when drivers are the least attentive. In 2002, the cities of Ankara and Istanbul accounted for more than half of the total vehicle accidents in Turkey; the 2002 countrywide total was 407,103 accidents for a national population of around 65 million.

A number of defensive measures can and should be taken to increase the odds in your favor for accident-free driving.  They are presented here, followed by some unique driving challenges or "threats" to watch out for in and around Ankara, Istanbul and other parts of this country.

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

• Ambulance:           112
• Police:                  155
• Traffic Police:        154
• Jandarma:             156

IF YOU GET INTO AN ACCIDENT

• If you are in a city, call the Traffic Police (154), do not move your car, and wait until the police arrive.
• If you are outside of a city, call the Jandarma (156), do not move your car, and wait until the police arrive.

DEFENSIVE MEASURES

• Always wear seat belts.  They can reduce injuries and save lives.
• Children should ride in the back seat with seat belts on and/or in a child safety seat.
• Drive defensively, defensively, defensively.
• Dusk is a particularly dangerous time on intercity highways because most drivers delay turning on their headlights until well after dark.  Oncoming traffic can be very difficult to see.
• Situational awareness is imperative.
• Use horn to alert pedestrians.
• Use horn and lights to alert other drivers.
• Pay attention when other drivers use their horns.
• Check all mirrors, particularly the right side mirror, and use directional signals when changing lanes.
• Confirm with direct visual check. Do not rely solely on mirrors.
• Use four-way flashers to warn other drivers of slowed/blocked traffic to avoid being hit from behind.
• Expect the unexpected.
• Drive each day as though you were on a mission, the goal of which is not to be involved in an accident, cause an accident, or strike a pedestrian.
• Watch out for trucks and buses that take the right-of-way without signaling, whether they are entitled to it or not.
• Keep lights, signals, horn and brakes in proper working order.
• Be extremely attentive and situationally aware during rain and snowstorms.  Accidents increase dramatically during storms, particularly at night.
• Assume nothing.  Make no assumptions about what another driver may do or how they will react in a situation. 
• If confronted by another driver, stay in your car, lock the doors, and use your cell phone to call the police.
• The maximum speed limit on the highway is 90 KM/hr; on the TEM and similar interstate-type highways, 120 KM/hr; and the maximum speed limit in the city is 50 KM/hr.  Please note that all speed limit signs are posted in kilometers per hour and not miles per hour.

Pay particular attention to all of the following driving practices which are common in Ankara and Istanbul, as well as other parts of the country: 

• Passing on the right; cutting in from the right side.
• Unexpected and unsignaled stops or turns.
• Unexpected stops by cars, buses and trucks in various locations  -- including main highway entrance ramps, intersections, and along major highways -- to pick up or drop off passengers.
• Pedestrians walking or running in front of vehicles to cross streets and main highways, oblivious to oncoming traffic.
• Unlit trucks parked at night in the driving lane of the highway rather than on the side of the road.
• Disabled vehicles parked without warning signs.
• Inattentive drivers.
• Unskilled drivers.
• Vehicles with faulty brakes.
• Unexpected lane changes and stops by taxis, mini-buses (dolmus) and city buses.
• Unlit tractors, horsecarts and farm vehicles traveling on highways at slow speed.
• In the countryside accidents, breakdowns, and road work areas marked by stones rather than warning signs.
• During rainstorms, slick surfaces due to oil on the roadway.
• Smoother road surfaces with less traction than usual.
• Vehicles reversing on exit ramps and on main highways.
• Animals on highways.
• In the countryside, herds of sheep, goats and other animals on roads.
• Driving in the middle of the road and not yielding.
• Passing on blind curves.
• At night, unlit or partially lit vehicles.
• Drivers flashing their headlights at oncoming vehicles.
• Dangerous or destructive potholes.
• Tailgating.
• Drivers attempting to pass while you are passing another vehicle.
• At unmarked intersections (i.e., no stop signs), primary road has right of way, but proceed with caution.

Watch for temporary checkpoints and traffic stops particularly at night.  These are usually set up for one of three reasons:  (1) routine license and registration checks, (2) to watch for certain individuals during times of high terrorist threat, or (3) DWI checks, which are normally done late at night and on weekends in areas with restaurants and clubs.  Often vehicles with diplomatic, consular or Turkish General Staff (TGS) license plates are waved through once the police see that a foreigner is driving.  If you are stopped, be prepared to show your Turkish identification card or passport, U.S. driver's license, and vehicle registration.  (Note - If you are involved in an accident - even when not found at fault - a Breathalyzer or blood test is usually mandatory.  If you are not determined responsible for the accident, positive test results will not be used against you by the police.  However, those results may be used by an insurance company as grounds to deny an accident claim.)  The unofficial "protocol" for military and Jandarma checkpoints in the eastern provinces is to turn on the vehicle's inside lights, dim the headlights, and stop for inspection.  Roll down the driver's side window in vehicles with tinted glass so soldiers can safely identify and check the vehicle and its occupants.  During this type of inspection, remain calm, do not make any quick movements, and obey instructions.

You should always have your vehicle registration, insurance policy, and driver's license (or copies) in your car.  If there is an accident, you will need all three.

Increased Driver Awareness during Ramadan

During the Moslem holy month of Ramadan, many people fast from sunrise to sunset.  Those observing the fast do not eat, drink or smoke.  This temporary lack of nourishment and stimulants may impair alertness, particularly for persons driving vehicles.  Consequently, it is important for all employees and family members to be particularly aware of this potential danger and alert to other drivers.  Practice defensive driving even more vigilantly than usual during Ramadan.  The holidays or "Bayrams" that follow Ramadan result in a dramatic increase in intercity vacation traffic and the highest accident rates of the year.

Here's a taxi safety tip: Always ride in the rear of a taxi, never in the front.  In the event of an accident, the risk of serious injury is generally reduced by more than 50% for those in the back.