Chamber majority wants to partially reverse increases in traffic fines

To close gaps in the budget of Justice and Security, Justice Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz has increased the fines for minor traffic violations by 10 percent. Of that 10 percent, 4.3 percent is used to balance the budget. A majority in the House of Representatives wants part of the increase in traffic fines to be reversed. The government must reduce traffic fines by the same 4.3 percent, the House wants.

A motion by Denk calling on the cabinet was adopted by a parliamentary majority on Tuesday. According to MP Ismail El Abassi of that party, ‘fines are intended to increase road safety’ and the amount of fines must be proportionate to ‘the nature and severity of the violation’. Fines are not intended to fill gaps in the budget, he stated in his motion. The minister can still ignore the motion.

Previously, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) and the Council of State were also critical of the increase in traffic fines. Gaps in the budget should not be a reason to increase fines, the Council of State stated in its advice to the minister. One of the objections of the Public Prosecution Service to increasing fines for minor offenses is that from now on they differ too little from the fines that apply for serious offenses such as driving while under the influence of alcohol.