While the number of motorcycles in traffic in Turkey exceeded 7.6 million, the increase in the rate of traffic accidents involving motorcycles also attracted attention. While motorcycles were involved in more than half of the traffic accidents that occurred in 2025, 1,675 people lost their lives in these accidents.
According to TUIK's 2026 data, the number of motorcycles registered to traffic in Turkey exceeded 7.6 million. The rapidly increasing number of motorcycles in recent years is reflected in the nature of accidents as well as the distribution of vehicles in traffic.
According to Ministry of Internal Affairs data, motorcycles were involved in 50.2 percent of the 288 thousand 318 traffic accidents that occurred across Türkiye in 2025. This rate was recorded as 45.7 percent in 2024.
In the same period, 1,675 people lost their lives in motorcycle accidents. It was stated that those injured in motorcycle accidents have an important place among the traffic accident injured who applied to hospitals.
The increase in motorcycle use has also changed the vehicle distribution in some provinces. In some provinces, including Manisa, Muğla, Kilis, Aydın, Iğdır, Şanlıurfa and Şırnak, the number of motorcycles exceeded the number of cars.
Karadeniz Technical University (KTU) Faculty of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Prof. Dr. Abdülkadir Gündüz stated that according to one-year statistics, 389 of the 1,149 traffic accidents that came to the emergency room were motorcycle accidents, and said, "The number of motorcycles in Türkiye has exceeded 7.6 million. More than 30 percent of the vehicles we encounter on the roads are motorcycles. According to the data of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, approximately 50 percent, or even more, of the traffic accidents that occur in Türkiye are related to motorcycles. Last year, approximately 1,150 traffic accident cases were referred to our emergency department. "389 of these were motorcycle accidents, and more than 50 of them were recorded as work accidents involving couriers. Therefore, both normal vehicle drivers and motorcycle users need to adjust themselves to this new situation. It is of great importance that motorcycle drivers do not violate the lane and use the necessary equipment. This situation can cause serious traumas, high rates of injuries and deaths."
According to our annual statistics, 389 of the 1,149 traffic accident cases that came to our hospital were motorcycle accidents. This rate shows that more than one motorcycle accident case is admitted to our hospital every day. This rate, which is quite high, was not at these levels four or five years ago. What we call an accident is not limited to the day the accident occurred. As a result of accidents, paralysis or permanent disabilities may occur. Some of our patients may even live in need of care for the rest of their lives. "This situation causes serious problems for both families and our country," he said.
"MORE THAN ONE MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT CASE EVERY DAY"
Stating that according to the data of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 50.2 percent of the 288 thousand traffic accidents that occurred in Türkiye in 2025 were accidents related to motorcycles, Gündüz said, "Manisa, Muğla, Kilis, Aydın, Iğdır, Şanlıurfa and Şırnak are among the provinces in Türkiye where the number of motorcycles exceeds the number of other vehicles. In these provinces, the number of motorcycles has exceeded the number of normal vehicles. According to the data of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 50.2 percent of the 288 thousand traffic accidents that occurred in Türkiye in 2025 consist of accidents related to motorcycles. This is a pretty high rate. The rate of motorcycles being involved in accidents is much higher than their share in the number of vehicles. "In other words, the rate of motorcycles being involved in accidents is much higher than the rate of normal vehicles being involved in accidents," he said.
