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Heavy traffic, driver error claim nearly 100 lives during Eid
Though traffic authorities called on drivers to be extra cautious during the holiday, heavy traffic and driver error resulted in the deaths of 98 people while more than 440 people were reported injured. Eid al-Fitr, signaling the end of the holy month of Ramadan, is marked by three days of vacation. This year's Eid was preceded by a Saturday, adding up to four days off. With the chance to visit relatives for an extended period of time or to go on vacation at tourist resorts, many traveled to other cities, causing heavy traffic on the country's highways.
The traffic situation went from bad to worse as a result of a sudden change in weather conditions: The Aegean, the Marmara and the Black Sea coastal regions experienced rain. The joy of Eid turned to pain for some families whose vacation ended early on the road.
The joy of eid turned into pain for some families whose vacation ended early on the road. Ninety-eight people have fallen victim to traffic accidents in Turkey since Saturday night, when the national holiday marking the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr began |
Interior Minister Beşir Atalay stated that speeding was the greatest cause of road accidents. “Be extra cautious when driving. Don't upset those waiting for you,” he advised drivers. Twenty-four people were killed on the roads on the day before Eid. The number of dead was 20 on Sunday, the first day of Eid. Twelve others were killed on the second day and 42 on Tuesday. A total of 447 people were injured in traffic accidents during the Eid holiday.
Accidents result in usually the greatest number of casualties on the day before and the last day of Eid as people go to or return from vacation spots or relatives' homes.
Roads between İstanbul and Ankara and Kocaeli and İstanbul were overcrowded on Tuesday evening as hundreds of drivers hit the road to return to their hometowns. Drivers had to spend several hours in long queues when entering İstanbul. Traffic teams and police officers were mobilized to ease traffic flow and prevent any potential accidents.
Heavy fog in the mountainous areas of northwestern Bolu province was also a challenge for drivers. In the meantime, İstanbul Seabuses and Fast Ferries Inc. (İDO) increased the number of ferries carrying vehicles between Yalova and Kocaeli.
The cities experiencing the highest number of traffic fatalities during this Eid were İstanbul, Çankırı, Kırıkkale, Niğde, Çorum, Sivas, Trabzon, Bilecik, Karaman, Antalya, Eskişehir and Manisa.
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