Eight people killed, 550 injured in traffic accidents across Turkey at start of public holiday

ISTANBUL – Doğan News Agency

Eight people lost their lives and 550 were injured in a total of 300 road accidents across Turkey in the first two days of the extended 10-day long Eid al–Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) holiday, the Interior Ministry has announced.

On the first day of the holiday, on Aug. 26, four people died and 290 were injured in accidents across the country. 

The minisitry stated that the number of people killed this year in the first two days of Eid al-Adha was 74 percent lower than the average of 31 killed per year from 2008 to 2016 period. It added that the number of people injured was 54 percent lower than the average of 1,264 from 2008 to 2016, while the number of accidents was 52 percent lower than the average of 621. 

In a first, the ministry has been sending warnings to drivers via a text message to their mobile phones when they stop on roads that are particularly prone to accidents. The message reads: “You are on a road where a high number of fatal accidents occur on holidays. Please abide by the rules. Do not exceed the speed limit. Fasten all seatbelts. Eid Mubarak.”

The Interior Ministry has also used Twitter to warn drivers, especially of heavy vehicles and buses, about road accidents. “In the first two days of this holiday the number of fatal accidents fell by 74 percent compared to previous years, but for more attentiveness we especially warn drivers of heavy vehicles and buses,” it stated.