Turkish road signs conform to the International Protocol on Road Signs and archaeological and historic sites are indicated by yellow signs. Turkey has a good network of well-maintained roads. There is a 50 km per hour speed limit within urban centers and 90 km outside urban centers. Petrol stations are fairly easy to rind and on main highways, they are often open 24 hrs and have restaurants and other facilities attached. Unleaded (kurşunsuz) petrol is easily available.
If you are planning to drive and bring your own car into the country when you visit Turkey, you will need to take your international driving license and passport with you, along with your car registration documents and international green card (insurance card) with the TR sign clearly visible. (NB: This can be purchased on arrival at the border). You can keep your car in the country for up to six months but more than that, you will be liable to pay import tax.
DRIVER SAFETY
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. By increasing driver safety awareness, much of the injuries caused by accidents can be prevented and more lives can even be saved because many of the accidents, though not all can be avoidable.
Many accidents occurred just because a driver stopped, turned or took some unexpected action which can cause a car to hit other vehicles or be struck by someone else. 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 have been reported to be 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. A number of defensive measures can and should be taken to increase the odds in your favor for accident-free driving.
DRIVING DURING HOLIDAYS & RAMADAN MONTHS
The Muslim holy month of Ramadan is usually celebrated month long. In Turkey, many people fast between the hours of sunrise and sunset during this holy month. The fast includes not taking any food, tea, coffee, even water and no smoking. The temporary lack of food and stimulants while fasting during Ramadan may lower the levels of alertness, particularly for persons who are driving trucks, buses, taxis and cars. Consequently, it is important for all employees and family members to be particularly aware of this potential danger and alert to other drivers. It is therefore advised to practice defensive driving, particularly during this month of the year. The holidays or bayram that usually follow Ramadan has in the past resulted in a dramatic increase in intercity vacation traffic and the highest accident rates of the year.
Here's a taxi safety tip - always ride in the rear of a taxi, never in the front. In the event of an accident, the risk of serious injury is generally reduced by more than 50%.
KEY MOTORING TERMS
- Benzin - Gas/petrol
- Kursunsuz - Led Free Gas
- Mazot/motorin - Diesel
- Tehlikeli Madde - Dangerous Materials
- Lastikci - Tire Repair
- Sanayi Bolgesi - Repair Shop Zone
- Otogar - Bus station
- Kaza Raporu - Accident Report
- Dikkatsiz - Careless
- Duzensiz - Disorder / Erratic
TRAFFIC & ROAD SIGNS
International traffic signs are used in Turkey. Yellow signs indicate archeological and historical places. However, most of the traffic signs are written in Turkish. So unless you know very well how to read the signs without having to understand what its Turkish text means, driving won't be a problem. But in order to prevent confusion and distraction while driving on the roads, it is best to know the common traffic and road signs in Turkey. Below, you can see most of the traffic / road signs in Turkey with its corresponding Turkish translations.
MAJOR ROAD SIGNS IN TURKISH
- Dur - Stop
- Tek yon - One way
- Girilmez - No Entry (in general)
- Tasit Giremez - No Vehicle Entry
- Giriş - Entrance
- Çikis - Exit
- Park Yapilmaz / Edilmez - No Parking
- Park Etmek Yasaktir - No Parking
- Şehir Merkezi - City Center
- Araç Çikabilir - Vehicles Exiting
- Askeri Bolgesi - Military Zone
- Hastane - Hospital
- Yaya Geçidi - Pedestrian Crossing
- Tirmanma Seridi - Climbing Lane (on hills for slower vehicles)
- Yol Çalışması - Road Work
- Yol Tamiri - Road Repair
- Yol Yapimi - Road Construction
- Servis Yolu - Temporary Road (detour)
- Ağir Tasitlar Sağdan Gidiniz - Trucks Use Right Lane
- Dinlenme Alani - Rest Area
- Servis Alani - Service Area
- Uzun Araç - Long vehicle
- Tirmanma Sağdan - Slower Vehicles Use Right Lane
- TEM "Tem Oto Yolu" - Transit European Motorway (Turkish Interstate)
- AS. İZ (Askeri İnzibat) - Military Police
