New Initiative to Reduce Motorcycle Accidents: Reserved Areas at Traffic Lights

The use of motorcycles is increasing rapidly in our country. However, this increase is also accompanied by a rise in traffic accidents. The Ministry of Interior has prepared the 2026-2027 Motorcycle Inspection Action Plan to address this issue. As part of the plan, creating special waiting areas for motorcyclists at traffic lights is being considered. Additionally, the plan aims to test controlled lane sharing in pilot cities and increase inspections. According to the Ministry of Interior's data, the number of motorcycles has increased significantly in recent years. In 2019, motorcycles accounted for 14.1% of total vehicles, and by 2026, this number had risen to 21.3%. Between January 1 and July 8 this year, motorcycles were involved in 69,131 of the 138,833 fatal or injury-related traffic accidents. The action plan, prepared under the instruction of the Minister of Interior, Mustafa Çiftçi, aims to reduce traffic accidents, promote a culture of safe driving, and strengthen inspections. One of the notable applications in the plan is the investigation of creating special waiting areas (reserved areas) for motorcycles at busy intersections. These areas aim to allow motorcyclists to wait in front of other vehicles at red lights, become more visible, and move safely when the light turns green. After the research, a technical guide will be prepared for the implementation. The plan also includes examining the feasibility of implementing a lane sharing system in Turkey, which would allow motorcycles to move between stopped or slow-moving vehicles in city traffic. The effects of this application on traffic safety and flow will be evaluated after it is tested in a pilot city.