Traveling by Car
Traffic in Turkey is on the right side of the road. The speed limit is maximum 50 km/hr in the Centrum and 90 km/hr outside the city roads and 120 km/hr on the highways. 438.388 traffic accidents occurred in 1999 and
4.596 people 45 of which were foreigners were killed.
Seat belts are compulsory. Always keep in mind that you can come across with a human or an animal on the highways. Pedestrians usually use highways around major cities as zebra crossings. Finally the most important thing is never move your car even after a minor traffic accident no matter how badly you are blocking the road for others. Wait till the police come and write down the necessary report.
Road Signs: Turkish road signs conform to the International Protocol on
Road Signs. Yellow signs indicate archeological and historical sites.
Petrol (Gas): Filling stations are well distributed over all roads,
and those on the main highways often have service stations with restaurants,
and are open round the clock. Unleaded fuel is available at most stations.
Repairs: There are numerous repair garages in towns, which are grouped
along special streets and along principal highways. Spare parts are readily
available. Turkish mechanics are well trained in the repair of both Turkish
and foreign cars.
In addition, assistance can be received from the Touring and Automobile Club:
Türkiye Turing ve Otomobil Kulübü
Tel: (212) 282 81 40 (7 lines), Fax: (212) 311 13 46
Some statistical information about Turkey's highway network is given below
should you be interested.
The length of the total highway network under the responsibility of the General
Directorate of Highways is approximately 61.000 km as of January 01, 2000: International
Highways: 1.749 km.
National Highways: 31.388 km (road: 30.540 km, stabilized road: 545 km, Earth
road 89 km, primitive road: 214 km)
Provincial Highways: 29.535 km (road: 24.398 km, Stabilized Road 3.216 km, Earth
road: 1106 km, Primitive road: 815 km)
Other roads under the responsibility of different organizations:
· Village Roads
· Tourist Roads
· Forest Roads
· Urban Roads
Tourist roads are constructed and maintained by the General Directorate of
Highways with financing provided by the Ministry of Tourism. Village roads are
constructed by the General Directorate of Village Affairs and the responsibility
for forest roads lies with the Ministry of Forests. Urban roads are constructed
by Municipalities.
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