In Turkey, the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is set at 0.05%, equivalent to 0.5 grams of alcohol per liter of blood.
This post intends to raise awareness about the problem of driving while under the influence in Turkey. The content presented on this website does not endorse or promote impaired driving in any region or country.
What is the legal alcohol limit for driving in Turkey?
In Turkey, the legal alcohol limit for driving varies depending on the category of the driver. These limits are put in place to ensure road safety and reduce alcohol-related accidents. Here’s how the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits are categorized:
- Regular Drivers and Young Drivers: The legal BAC limit is set at 0.05%, which corresponds to 0.5 grams of alcohol per liter of blood. This limit applies to the majority of drivers, including those who are considered young or new to driving.
- Professional Drivers: For drivers operating commercial vehicles, buses, or any vehicle for professional purposes, the legal BAC limit is more stringent, at 0.02%. This lower limit reflects the higher responsibility placed on professional drivers to maintain road safety.
Drink and Drive Penalties and Punishments in Turkey
In Turkey, engaging in drunk driving incurs serious consequences, encompassing both administrative and criminal penalties as delineated by the relevant legislation. These measures aim to deter drivers from operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol, ensuring road safety for all.
Administrative Penalties
The primary focus of administrative penalties includes license suspension, vehicle confiscation, and monetary fines, as stipulated in the Highway Traffic Law and the Misdemeanors Law.
According to Article 48/5, Highway Traffic Law No. 2918:
- An administrative fine is levied on drivers with a blood alcohol concentration over 0.50 promil. Additionally, their driver’s license is suspended for six months. For vehicles other than private cars, the limit is 0.21 promil.
- If a driver’s license has been previously suspended due to drunk driving within the last five years, the penalties escalate. The second offense leads to a two-year suspension and a fine, while the third offense (or more) results in a five-year suspension and a fine for each occurrence.
License Suspension:
- First offense: 6-month suspension.
- Second offense within five years: 2-year suspension, plus mandatory driver behavior development training.
- Third or subsequent offenses within five years: 5-year suspension, plus mandatory psycho-technical evaluation and a psychiatric examination.
Fines (As of 2023):
- First offense: 4,064 TL (3,048 TL with a 25% discount).
- Second offense: 5,096 TL (3,822 TL with a 25% discount).
- Third or subsequent offenses: 8,190 TL (6,142.50 TL with a 25% discount).
Criminal Penalties
Drunk driving can also trigger criminal charges, potentially resulting in imprisonment, especially when the blood alcohol concentration exceeds 1.00 promil or causes a traffic accident.
According to Article 179 of the Turkish Penal Code:
- Operating any vehicle in a manner that endangers lives, health, or property can lead to up to two years of imprisonment.
- Impairment due to alcohol or narcotics, affecting the safe control of the vehicle, also falls under this penalty.
Given the evolving nature of laws and penalties, it’s crucial for drivers in Turkey to stay informed about the latest regulations and legal implications of drunk driving. We strongly advise regularly consulting the official state website for the most current information and updates on drink and drive penalties and punishments in Turkey.
How Can I Calculate if My Alcohol Blood Limit is Legal in Turkey?
In Turkey, law enforcement officials determine a driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level through the use of breathalyzers during roadside checks. This method allows for immediate results, helping officers to ascertain whether drivers are over the legal alcohol limit.
For individuals concerned about their BAC levels and wishing to ensure they are within legal limits before driving, there are two reliable methods I recommend, drawing from my decade-long experience as a phlebologist:
- Use a High-Quality Alcohol Breathalyzer: The BACtrack S80 is recognized for its professional-grade accuracy and comes highly recommended. It is DOT & NHTSA Approved and FDA 510(k) Cleared, making it one of the most reliable breathalyzers on the market. Keeping a device like the BACtrack S80 in your vehicle is a proactive measure to prevent drunk driving. It’s particularly useful in Turkey, where there might be a lack of awareness regarding one’s own BAC level and the risk of impaired driving. The device’s precision can serve as a critical check before making the decision to drive.
- Utilize My BAC Calculator: In collaboration with other phlebologists and web developers, I have developed an online BAC calculator. This tool is designed to estimate your BAC level based on the input of various factors, such as the amount of alcohol consumed, your weight, and the time elapsed since drinking. While it provides a helpful estimate, it’s important to remember that like any estimation tool, it cannot guarantee 100% accuracy.
Both the breathalyzer and the online BAC calculator are valuable tools that can aid in making responsible decisions regarding alcohol consumption and driving. However, it’s essential to bear in mind that these methods offer approximations of your BAC level. They are intended to provide guidance and potentially deter you from driving should your estimated BAC approach or exceed the 0.05% limit.
Given the serious consequences associated with drunk driving in Turkey, including significant penalties and the risk of causing harm, using these tools can be a practical step towards ensuring your safety and compliance with the law. Remember, the safest option is always not to drive if you have consumed any amount of alcohol.
Ways to Avoid Driving with a High BAC in Turkey
Driving with a high Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) not only poses a significant risk to your safety and that of others but also carries severe legal consequences in Turkey. Fortunately, there are practical and convenient alternatives to avoid getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol:
- Utilize Taxi Apps and Local Taxi Services: In Turkey, leveraging taxi apps like Uber can offer a safe and efficient way to get home without the risks associated with drunk driving. For those who prefer local options, cities like Istanbul and Ankara offer reliable taxi services tailored to meet your transportation needs. In Istanbul, Rento Istanbul Airport Transfer provides a dependable service for getting to and from the airport or navigating the city streets. Similarly, Ankara Kamyonet Taksi offers reputable taxi services within Ankara, ensuring you have access to safe transportation options regardless of your location.
- Opt for Designated Driver Services: If you’ve driven to a location and find yourself unable to safely drive back due to alcohol consumption, consider using a designated driver service. This service involves hiring a professional driver to take you and your car back home, eliminating the need to leave your vehicle behind. In Istanbul, Istanbul Chauffeur is a notable provider, offering reliable designated driver services to ensure you and your car return home safely. Ankara’s MyChauffeurDrive is another excellent option, providing similar services to those in need within the city. To find a designated driver service in your specific city, a simple Google search for “designated driver service” followed by your city’s name should yield several reliable options.
By choosing to use taxi apps, local taxi services, or designated driver services, you not only ensure your own safety but also contribute to the safety of others on the road. These alternatives are not only practical but also widely accessible, offering a responsible solution to avoid driving under the influence of alcohol. Remember, planning your transportation in advance can significantly reduce the temptation to drive after drinking, making for a safer and more enjoyable experience in Turkey.
Sticking to Drink and Drive Laws in Turkey: Sad Statistics
Despite the limited comprehensive data on drink-driving statistics in Turkey, available figures from 2016 indicate that alcohol was a factor in approximately 3.3% of road crash fatalities. This underscores the critical importance of refraining from driving after consuming alcohol. For situations where avoiding driving is not possible, utilizing authorized driving services or taxis is a prudent choice for safe transportation.
Understanding and adhering to the specific regulations on driving under the influence is crucial, especially when traveling. Regular monitoring of your blood alcohol level with a breathalyzer can help ensure that alcohol does not impair your driving abilities. It’s important to stay within Turkey’s legal BAC limit of 0.05% to avoid legal consequences and ensure the safety of all road users.
For those unsure about their capacity to drive safely after drinking, opting for alternative transportation methods is advisable. For detailed information on Turkey’s drunk driving laws and penalties, visiting the country’s official website is recommended. This approach not only helps in making informed decisions but also contributes to overall road safety.
