Türkiye witnessed a tragic start to the Eid al-Adha holiday period, with 692 traffic accidents reported nationwide on the first day alone, resulting in the deaths of seven people and injuries to 1,128 others, according to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.

Yerlikaya shared the grim figures via his social media account on Saturday, underscoring the challenges posed by the sharp increase in holiday travel and reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring public safety on the roads.

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure also reported that more than 2.2 million vehicles took to the country’s highways within the first 24 hours of the holiday, contributing to traffic congestion across major intercity routes.

In response, traffic enforcement teams ramped up safety efforts, conducting speed and radar checks on 12,407 drivers nationwide. Minister Yerlikaya emphasized the importance of these preventive measures in reducing the number of accidents during the high-risk travel season.

Despite the alarming number of incidents, Yerlikaya expressed appreciation for the majority of drivers who followed traffic regulations, noting that 99.44% of motorists were found to be in compliance with safety standards.

“I thank each and every one of the drivers who did not speed and followed the traffic regulations,” he said, praising responsible behavior on the roads.

The holiday period, traditionally marked by a mass movement of people returning to their hometowns or heading to vacation destinations, has historically seen a spike in traffic-related incidents. Authorities have warned that the risk of accidents remains high throughout the extended break.

Traffic police and gendarmerie units are expected to maintain heightened vigilance throughout the week, continuing roadside inspections, sobriety checks, and speed monitoring to prevent further casualties.

Officials are once again urging all citizens to drive carefully, observe traffic rules, and take regular rest breaks during long journeys to ensure the safety of themselves and others.

As the holiday continues, Türkiye remains on high alert, with emergency services and road safety personnel mobilized across the country in an effort to minimize further loss of life on what should be a joyous occasion. (ILKHA)