Interior Minister announces: Traffic fines for social media are also coming

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said that the 36-article bill on the agenda of the Turkish Grand National Assembly regarding the increase in traffic fines will enter into force on January 1, 2026.

Yerlikaya stated that there was no social resistance to the proposal, adding, “Society wants the best way, and they want the rules to be internalized, followed and supervised correctly.”

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya met with representatives of media organizations at the ministry. He explained the proposed law amending the Highway Traffic Law, which includes regulations on the agenda of the Turkish Grand National Assembly General Assembly to increase traffic fines.

Yerlikaya stated that the 36-article bill aims to prevent accidents, minimize fatalities, positively change driver behavior, and, over time, build a traffic culture. Emphasizing that deterrence is the cornerstone of traffic culture, Yerlikaya said, "Deterrence is the most fundamental building block that ensures the development and ingraining of traffic culture. In the area of ​​traffic safety, it is vital to implement deterrent measures to ensure driver compliance and reduce violations. Traffic deterrence should be viewed not merely as a punitive system, but as a multi-layered mechanism that builds a culture of safe living within society."

Yerlikaya noted that traffic fines are not merely sanctions, saying, "There is a direct and strong relationship between traffic fines and deterrence. An effective and fair penal system increases individual respect for the rules, positively changes driving habits, raises social awareness, and, most importantly, reduces fatalities. Therefore, fines are not merely sanctions but also a strategic tool for transforming traffic culture."

Minister Yerlikaya stated that the proposal in question was from the AKP group, saying, "It's not my proposal; it's our AKP group's 36-article bill. This law will go into effect on January 1, 2026. Our Group Chair stated, 'We will pass this in Parliament within 4-5-6 weeks, by talking to the public more thoroughly and internalizing it.' This is how the work will be carried out."

'WE HAVE NO PROBLEM OF DRAWING TURNOVER'

Minister Yerlikaya, responding to criticisms that fines are excessive, said, "We have no interest in making a profit. We don't need the money coming from here. While the media says, 'Fines are coming from here and there,' the same media asks, 'Can such an accident happen in this day and age?' How are we going to do it? We've reached our goal by increasing inspections by 50 percent. People want rules; they say, 'I'm following them, so they should too.'"

25 THOUSAND TL FOR THOSE WHO PRAISE A VIOLATION OF THE RULES

Some of the regulations in the bill detailed by Minister Yerlikaya are as follows:

• Getting out of a vehicle for the purpose of assault is punishable by a fine of 180 thousand TL, a driver's license revocation for 60 days, and a traffic ban.
• Blocking a road with a wedding convoy carries a 90,000 TL fine, a 60-day driver's license revocation, and a driving ban. Penalties will double if this violation occurs on bridges, tunnels, viaducts, or highways.
• A fine of 90,000 TL, 60 days of driver's license revocation and traffic ban for crossing the street in traffic.
• A fine of 140 thousand TL, 60 days of driver's license revocation and traffic ban for drifting
• A fine of 200 thousand TL, 60 days of driver's license revocation and traffic ban for not complying with the 'Stop' warning.
• A fine of 3,000 TL will be imposed for listening to loud music in a vehicle, a fine of 21,000 TL for installing a sound system that violates legislation, and these vehicles will be banned from traffic for 30 days, and the devices will be removed and returned.
• A fine of 5,000 TL will be imposed for using a mobile phone, 10,000 TL for the second violation within the same year, 20,000 TL for the third violation, and the driver's license will be revoked for 30 days.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol carries a 25,000 TL fine and a 6-month driver's license revocation. A second violation within 5 years results in a 50,000 TL fine and a 2-year driver's license revocation. A third violation results in a 150,000 TL fine and a 5-year driver's license revocation.
• A fine of 2,500 TL will be applied for not wearing a seat belt.
• A fine of 46,000 TL will be imposed for not giving way to ambulances and fire departments, a 30-day driver's license revocation and a traffic ban, and a fine of 15,000 TL will be imposed for not giving way to other vehicles with right-of-way.
• A fine of 5,000 TL will be applied for the first time passing a red light, 10,000 TL for the second time, and 15,000 TL for the third time.
• Those who praise violations of rules on social media will be fined 25,000 TL.
• Penalties for speed limit violations in and outside residential areas will also be increased.