Nowadays, Turkey is becoming more and more lawless. Over the last decade, Turkey has implemented many laws. However, many of these laws are not enforced by authorities, so many constantly disregard the laws. Thus, Turkey is becoming more lawless.
There are over 400,000 authorities such as police, monitors, auditors, etc.. in Turkey, but the lawlessness is rising.
Below is a list of sectors and places where Turkish laws are being constantly violated:
- Taxis: many tourists are constantly being cheated by drivers who don’t activate their meters. As a result, many are paying 50 to 200% more than the normal metered charge. Also, taxi drivers are disregarding anti smoking laws by smoking inside the cab. Sometimes, they smoke while driving.
- Smoking: many smokers are smoking in cafes, restaurants, metro bus stops, public minibuses, and word spaces. Usually, in plain site of authorities who look the other way.
- Fine: 188 TL
- Sidewalks: walking on sidewalks is becoming more and more hazardous everyday. Many cars are parking on the sidewalks forcing pedestrians to walk in the streets. Thus, increasing the risk of injury. Also, motorcycles and mopeds are racing on the sidewalks. Sometimes, they come up right behind you and honk. Sometimes, cars are parking on the corners making it impossible for a disabled person to pass.
- Fine: 177 TL (2019)
- Littering: this is a widespread problem that is getting worse and worse every day. Many people litter ever with a trash can nearby. What makes this problem even worse is the cigarette butts.
- Sales tax receipts: a majority of small businesses are not issuing receipts. Therefore the government is not collecting valuable tax revenue. This is a wide spread problem that the government does not address.
- Fine: 210 TL + 10% of receipt
- Dark tinted windows: a few years ago, the government passed a law banning dark tinted windows. For a month the police were out checking the cars. However in the last year, many cars have tinted windows ignoring the laws.
- Fine: 288 TL
- Crosswalks: cars never stop for pedestrians in clearly marked crosswalks without a light. Again the police do nothing to insure the safety of pedestrians. Unfortunately, the drivers think they have the right away in Turkey.
- Fine: 488 TL
- Counterfeit goods: This has become a prevalent problem especially for clothes, shoes and bags. Nowadays, counterfeit goods are being sold in street bazaars, small stores, and through tent wholesalers. Brands, like Nike, Sketchers, Koch, Lacoste, Gucci, etc.. are selling for a fraction of the real retail cost.
- Fine: usually punishable by jail and court fine
- Food safety: the Health Department rarely checks restaurants for health and safety violations. Also, smoking in restaurants has become the norm despite many laws on the books. Also, many chefs are not using required clothing and following hygienic health codes. Furthermore, many unregulated street food vendors lack food safety and ignore basic laws.
- Fines: vary depending of violation
- Social security: there has been an increase in the number of businesses not providing social security benefits to its employees. These benefits include: health, pension, and unemployment benefits. Despite complaints by affected workers, the government just pretends to help by claiming they will investigate.
- Fine: 20,000 TL +
- Cell phone usage while driving: During rush hour, a majority of drivers are using their cellphones while driving. For example, last week I counted 78 out of 100 cars with drivers using their cell phones. Clearly, the police do little to stop this.
- Fine: 288 TL
- Alcoholic beverages: it is against the law for retailers to sell alcohol after 10 P.M.. However, many of them are selling past 10 P.M. Again, the police do little to enforce the laws. Some wonder if corruption plays a role in not checking.
- Disable parking spaces: this is a serious problem all over the city. Unfortunately, many non disabled drivers are parking in these spaces. Despite the color of the spaces and signs, drivers usually ignore the signs.
- Fine: 264 TL
- Smoking while driving: as smoking rates increase in Turkey, more and more drivers are smoking in their cars. You can see drivers all over smoking while driving. Also, most of these drivers also litter, too.
- Honking your horn: noise pollution is a serious problem in big cities like Istanbul. Drivers are constantly honking their horns for non essential reasons. Thus, it is possible to hear a horn a second on major streets.
- Fine: 95 TL
- Minors buying cigarettes: nowadays, teenage smoking is increasing and many of these teenage smokers buy directly from retailers, which don’t check ID’s. Again, the authorities do little to curb this problem. Therefore, Turkey is becoming lawless.
Despite the government’s claims that it is curbing these illegal activities, lawlessness is increasing. The government likes to advertise to the public that it is enforcing the laws. However, quite frequently it is difficult to verify the government’s information because there is no oversight.
Moreover, many law breakers think that their fines and penalties will be expunged. This is especially the case before elections. Usually, the ruling party will pledge all taxes and fines will be erased to get votes. Thus, many people ignore laws and possible penalties.
All in all, Turkey is becoming more lawless regardless of what the authorities are saying. There are over 100,000 authorities in Istanbul alone. It is obvious they are not doing their jobs.
