Alarming situation in Alanya
Minister Yerlikaya announced that in 52% of accidents that occurred throughout the year, one of the involved parties was a motorcycle driver. In Alanya, 628 motorcycle accidents have been recorded in the past nine months. Experts have issued warnings regarding motorcycle accidents.
IMPORTANT DATA SHARED BY MINISTER YERLIKAYA
Minister of the Interior Ali Yerlikaya shared significant data regarding motorcycle inspections. Minister Yerlikaya stated that as of December 26, 2024, a total of 2,898,366 actions had been taken concerning motorcycles. Highlighting that motorcycles were involved in 52.3% of traffic accidents occurring in urban areas, Minister Yerlikaya said, “Please be more cautious when riding motorcycles. Follow all traffic rules, and do not neglect to wear helmets and protective equipment. Your journeys are meant to reunite you with your loved ones, not separate you from them. Our traffic teams, as well as police and gendarmerie motorcycle patrol units, continue inspections intensively.”
Minister Yerlikaya also provided details about traffic inspections conducted between December 19-26. He noted that during this period, police and gendarmerie traffic teams inspected 2,553,663 vehicles. A total of 444,372 actions were taken against vehicles and drivers, including 74 drivers for unauthorized use of light or sound warning devices. These actions included penalties for speeding (99,381), lack of periodic inspections (20,677), not wearing seat belts (17,642), driving without a license (10,833), and lacking mandatory liability insurance (7,147).
628 MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS IN ALANYA IN 9 MONTHS
Bilge Toksöz, Head of Alanya Municipality Traffic Training Park and Alanya Traffic Education Association, announced that a total of 628 motorcycle accidents occurred in Alanya up to September 2024. Speaking to Yeni Alanya, Toksöz said, “The total number of motorcycle accidents recorded in Alanya in 2024 is 628. In these accidents, 610 people were injured. Official records indicate 2 fatalities at the scene, but those who passed away after being taken to the hospital are included in hospital records. Unfortunately, there were more fatal accidents. There were 489 injury-related accidents and 139 accidents causing material damage. It was determined that 426 accidents were caused by male drivers and 184 by female drivers”.
MOTORCYCLE SAFETY IN ALANYA RAISES ALARM
Uğur Uzun, President of Alanya Motorsports Club Association, drew attention to issues related to motorcycle usage and safety. Emphasizing the importance of advanced driving technique training for young people, Uzun also highlighted the critical nature of using protective gear. He stated, “Alanya, with its warm climate, encourages motorcycle use. Since it is a small settlement, people often prefer motorcycles for transportation. However, many people, whether consciously or unconsciously, licensed or not, use motorcycles. The sharp increase in vehicle prices in recent years has also driven more people to motorcycles. Motorcycle usage is especially prevalent among the 15-25 age group. Unfortunately, this age group is frequently involved in accidents due to a lack of training. Most are content with obtaining a license and are unaware of safe driving practices due to the lack of advanced driving technique training.
To address this issue, young people must undergo advanced driving training and use protective gear, especially helmets. While police and gendarmerie conduct frequent inspections, even in residential neighborhoods, it is impossible to oversee every motorcycle due to their sheer number. Penalties alone are insufficient to solve this problem. More effective measures and technological solutions are needed. For example, helmet detection systems for motorcycles could be developed, such as systems where the engine does not start without a helmet or stops when the helmet is removed. Sanctions like denying fuel to drivers without helmets at gas stations could also serve as deterrents. Selling motorcycles to unlicensed individuals should be prohibited. Education is crucial to raising awareness among young people. Clubs, gendarmerie, police, and schools in Alanya could collaborate to prepare brochures or booklets on motorcycle safety. These materials could include information on proper equipment usage, rules to follow, and safe driving tips.
Additionally, dangerous driving behaviors performed for social media fame, such as wheelies or weaving, contribute to accidents. Awareness needs to be raised on this issue as well. Motorcycle riders should always remember the principle of their safety: When I ride a motorcycle, it doesn’t matter whether other drivers make mistakes or not. I must always assume that the vehicle in front of me will make a mistake and act cautiously. It is essential to adopt this mindset”.
