Why Have Scooters Turned into Chaos Vehicles in Turkey?

Many things that we use in our daily life and unfortunately continue to use cause great harm to nature. automobiles and only one of them. You’ve probably heard of the carbon footprint. This term means the measurement of the damage we do to nature in terms of carbon dioxide. So what are we doing to reduce our carbon footprint?

Some useful actions are being taken to reduce the damage we do to nature. For example, electric cars, scooters and scooters. However, many people in traffic do not fully comply with the rules of electric scooters. As a matter of fact, many drivers in traffic are completely against electric scooter, motorcycle and scooter drivers. not conscious. When all these come together, unfortunately, we see an increase in accidents.

But do we really know the rules?

You can be a scooter or a car user. The first thing you should do, no matter what you’re driving traffic rules you have to follow is to know. Otherwise, the accidents that we constantly hear and continue to hear will increase more. So let’s take a look at the scooter riding rules in our country.

electric scooters;

• If there is a separate bike lane or bike lane from the carriageway,
• Highway, intercity highways and maximum speed limit On highways over 50 km/h,
• On the carriageway with more than two scooters side by side in a single lane,
• on footpaths,
• By connecting to another vehicle, hanging on,
• Except for permitted shows acrobatic moves by making,
• Except in the case of signaling for maneuver one-handed,
• dangerous maneuvering or passing other vehicle users,
• Other than the driver carrying another human,
• Personal belongings that can be carried on the back with the external passenger cannot be driven.
• In a way that restricts the safety of pedestrians, people with disabilities and mobility restrictions, and prevents vehicle and pedestrian traffic. cannot be parked.

Unfortunately, many of the rules we have listed above are not known to both drivers and electric scooter users. When this is the case, accident ratesI’m getting higher every day.

The data collected since the beginning of 2022 also shows this.

When we look at the data shared by the General Directorate of Security, the total number of fatal or injury accidents involving electric scooters is 265 in January 2022. When we come to September, this number rises to 701. So here an increase of 164% aforementioned.

In Europe, the situation is not much different. For example, in Belgium, there were a total of 339 injury accidents in 2021, In 2022, this number will increase to 846. out. Of course, this number is quite low when compared to Turkey. Because while these numbers of accidents in Belgium cover those years, our numbers are only those that took place in that month.

So why are accident rates constantly increasing?

Imagine that there is only one scooter company in any country and 1000 electric scooters can be rented. It would be very unlikely that you would come across any scooter user in traffic. However, in our country More than 15 companies, more than 60 thousand electric scooters there is. You must have seen that these scooters occupy a large area by standing side by side on some streets and sidewalks.

To summarize briefly; With only 1000 vehicles across the country, the probability of being involved in an accident is much lower, but as the number increases, the accident rate will increase as well. So it’s not just accident rates; in our country number of electric scooters and users is also constantly increasing.

And unconsciously…

Many of the scooter companies in our country chain lock system uses. After reaching their destination, people tie the scooter to the first pole they see, to the door. Moreover, whether pedestrians can pass, Is there a handicap road? or regardless of whether it’s occupying the parking lot…

Likewise, it is among the things we see most in traffic. two people or even three people on an electric scooter boarding is coming. Even if we leave aside the fact that this is prohibited, this situation causes great dangers to users. As a result, the vehicle you are riding in is not a car; having two small wheels and needing to balance a scooter. You can control your own balance, but it will be very difficult for you to control the balance of another passenger.

Some problems were caused by our new acquaintance with this technology.

In fact, scooters are not a new technology to our country. However, the use of electric versions as a means of transportation is only becoming more common. Therefore Many people do not know how to ride scooters. As we have just mentioned, even though they are electric, they need to be kept in balance.

When we meet this new technology, we can lose our balance and fall, or we can’t adjust the place and time to stop. In this case, we can avoid minor accidents. However, to avoid a bigger accident, make your first attempts. on empty and safe roads, in accordance with the rules We recommend that you do.

Okay, but why do we love electric scooters so much?

Especially those who live in big cities know that sometimes the traffic you encounter on the way home from work can be more tiring than all the work we do during the day. We are sure that there is no one of you who does not get bored of waiting in traffic for hours. At this point, when companies enter our country with electric scooters, we escape route we found.

It is important for all of us to get away from the traffic and get to where we want as soon as possible. it looked very attractive. The use of motorcycles, bicycles, electric scooters and scooters has also increased significantly due to traffic. While we were thinking that our carbon footprint is shrinking and we are using environmentally friendly vehicles, this time news of accidents involving electric scooters began to appear before us. Because their numbers had increased.

We have seen those who go in the opposite lane, those who do not look left and right, those who do not follow the rules and many more… Are they the only culprit?

No it is not. We regret to say that even if you follow all the rules, a traffic monster may come and find you. Unfortunately, in our country, when driving drunk, doing various ‘acrobatic’ movements to show off to his girlfriend or other friends, and not obeying the speed limit. who thinks he’s cool There are many drivers.

Likewise, there are many people who use electric scooters both consciously and unconsciously. The biggest reason for this is the rules we mentioned at the beginning of our article. unknown to many people and that it is not applied voluntarily or unintentionally.

Are age limits, fines the solution?

Unfortunately not. We can say that we are a little behind the technology in this regard. Because with scooters The relevant regulation was published on April 14, 2021 Although it is the first scooter company in our country, in 2019 started its activities.

If the rules for the use of electric scooters in many countries in Europe are not followed Fines of up to 1000 euros is being cut. Of course, there are cases where fines are imposed in our country. For example; It is forbidden for persons under the age of 15 to use electric scooters and 144 TL There is a penalty. On the other hand, if a person under the age of 18 can drive without a license, 10 thousand TL penalties can be imposed. So there is no equal amount of deterrence.

There is so much to do and we have to start somewhere.

Of course, new technological tools will continue to be produced and the number of existing ones will continue to increase. However, we must start to adapt to change, to change ourselves. Before using a vehicle, we must enter and read the rules and consult the authorities if necessary. Together with the population, the number of vehicles in traffic and therefore complaining about the increase in the time we spend in traffic we prefer electric scooters, but while doing this, we are doing the right of others. we extort.

First we have to start the change with ourselves, we should be conscious individuals and then we should complain about something. “What will it change that just my being conscious?” If we keep thinking, we won’t be able to change anything. Because in our country lots of people still don’t have electric scooters didn’t use it. In other words, a wrong move you do can set an example for those people.

Throughout our article, we have tried to explain some issues to you with their right and wrong. Of course, we all grieve and grieve over accidents. However, from what we experienced to learn it’s still in our hands. For this reason, we hope that all drivers, driver candidates, who are or will be on the road, pay more attention. What other reasons do you think there could be for the increase in accidents? Don’t forget to let us know in the comments.

Sources: Official Gazette, General Directorate of Security Traffic Department, VAS (Belgian Road Safety Barometer), the Bulletin, Canarian Weekly