The cardinal rules of safety to survive Turkish driving are: drive very defensively, avoid driving at night, and never let emotions affect what you do.
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 and perhaps even save lives or at least prevent injuries. 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 some unexpected action which caused the U.S. driver to hit the other vehicle or be struck by someone else. Many of the "unexpected" actions were unexpected according to U.S. driving standards but are quite common in Ankara and 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 highly 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, for example, 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 1995, Ankara and Istanbul provinces accounted for almost half of the total vehicle accidents in Turkey; Ankara 43,517, Istanbul 74,905, countrywide total 233,803. 1996 figures are even higher with 156,000 accidents in the first six months.
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.
DEFENSIVE MEASURES
-- Always wear seat belts.
-- 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 get pedestrians' attention.
-- Use horn and lights to get the attention of other drivers.
-- Pay attention when other drivers use their horns.
-- Check all mirrors and use directional signals for lane changes.
-- Check right side mirror in particular.
-- Confirm with direct visual check. Do not rely solely on mirrors.
-- Use four-way flashers to warn drivers behind of slowed/blocked traffic to avoid being hit from behind.
-- Drive defensively. This is not a catch phrase to be taken lightly.
-- Expect the unexpected.
-- Wear seat belts consistently. They can reduce injuries and save lives.
-- 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.
-- Make sure your lights, signals, horn and brakes are in proper order.
-- During rain and snowstorms, drivers must be extremely attentive and situationally aware. Accidents increase dramatically during storms and particularly at night.
-- Assume nothing. Make no assumptions about what another driver may do or how they will react in a situation. Do not assume that they have seen your vehicle or will do the "right" thing.
Pay particular attention to all of the following which are common in Ankara, Istanbul and others parts of the country:
-- Passing on the right and cutting in front of other vehicles from the right side.
-- Unexpected stops or turns without signaling, for no apparent reason.
-- Stopping in unexpected locations to pick up or let off passengers by cars, buses and trucks, including main highway entrance ramps, intersections, and along major highways.
-- Pedestrians seemingly completely oblivious to oncoming traffic who continue to walk or run in front of vehicles to cross streets and main highways.
-- Trucks parked at night without lights on the highway rather than on the side of the road.
-- Disabled vehicles parked without warning signs.
-- Completely inattentive drivers.
-- Unskilled drivers.
-- Taxis and other vehicles with bad brakes.
-- Unexpected lane changes and stops by taxis, mini-buses (dolmus) and city buses.
-- Tractors, horsecarts and farm vehicles traveling without lights at slow speed on highways.
-- In the countryside, the use of stones rather than warning signs to mark accidents, breakdowns, and road work.
-- During rainstorms, accidents increase dramatically because of oil on the road surface.
-- Road surfaces that are much smoother and provide less traction than normal.
-- Vehicles backing up (in reverse) on exit ramps and on main highways.
-- Animals on highways.
-- In the countryside, watch for herds of sheep, goats and other animals on roads.
-- Drivers that drive in the middle of the road and yield to no one.
-- Drivers that overtake on blind curves.
-- At night, cars without lights or lights missing.
-- Oncoming drivers who play inscrutable light games, flashing and flashing whether you have your "brights" on or not.
-- Tire-shredding potholes.
-- Tailgating drivers.
-- Drivers that attempt to pass while you are passing another vehicle.
-- 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) during times of high terrorist threat, to watch for certain individuals, (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 will be waved through once the police see that a foreigner is driving. In case you are stopped, be prepared to show your Turkish identification card or passport and 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 almost always mandatory. If you are not considered responsible for the accident, positive test results will not be used against you by the police. However, they 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 and dim the headlights while stopping for inspection. Roll down the driver's side window in vehicles with tinted glass. This makes it easier for soldiers to 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.
Source: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/tips_1518.html
