The Ministry of Public Works and Transportation issued a statement appealing to the public to mobilise to minimise traffic violations and crashes, especially those which result in death and serious injuries.
In the statement, the Ministry said everything possible was being done for a better infrastructure to deem roads safer but indicated that we as people cannot sit and do nothing just because these works are not being realised as rapidly as they should.
The Ministry added that beside infrastructure, they were working to reform driver education, licence and traffic fines systems and will not back off just because they were being criticised by those who wish to protect the status quo.
“Until we improve the infrastructure and the traffic system in coordination with other state departments, what we need is total mobilisation of the people, the statement said.
The Ministry explained mobilisation as: complying with traffic rules, especially speed limits and driving by taking the condition of the roads into consideration.
The Ministry said “We should not drive if we are under the influence of alcohol and MEDICINE?. (Emniyet kemeri cümlesi). A driver’s eyes should be on the road only and nothing else. We should police each other and not hesitate to warn other drivers and inform authorities in case we come across traffic violations.
We are taking steps on road safety, licence system, speed cameras and vehicle inspection system. We are working to minimise the part infrastructure plays in road accidents. We will continue working to fix the damaged system but again, when lack of infrastructure meets a culture of violence on the roads, we as the people need to do something about it. Until we reach our target which is educated drivers and an infrastructure free of problems, we need to respect and take care of each other in traffic.”