Emergency Handling Breakdowns
- 1/25If your car breaks down on a motorway, you must
Turn on your hazard lights and place a triangle 150 meters behind the vehicle. In Turkey, It is illegal to remain in active traffic lanes during breakdowns.
When your car breaks down at night, you should
Turkish law requires the use of a reflective vest and warning triangle to alert others. Visibility is key to avoid rear-end collisions.
The correct position for a warning triangle on normal roads is
On Turkish highways or fast roads, place the triangle even farther. This allows drivers time to respond safely.
If your vehicle catches fire, your first step is to
Do not open the hood, as oxygen feeds the fire. Get everyone out and away from the vehicle, then call 112.
In case of a tyre blowout, you should
Avoid sudden braking. Gradually steer to the side of the road and turn on your hazard lights.
If your brakes fail, your best response is to
Use engine braking to reduce speed. Do not slam the handbrake as it can cause skidding, especially on Turkish mountain roads.
When your car stalls at a railway crossing, you must
Run diagonally away in the train’s direction. Then call 112 for emergency assistance immediately.
If the car overheats, you should
Do not open the radiator cap when hot. Let the car cool, check coolant levels, and call for service if needed.
A dead battery in a public space means
In Turkey, it is common to ask nearby drivers for a jump-start. Always follow battery safety when doing so.
If your engine suddenly stalls in traffic, the first step is to
Use momentum to reach a safe spot. If it does not restart, set up warnings and call for roadside assistance.
Driving with a flat tyre should only be done
Driving on a flat can damage your rim and suspension. In Turkey, use hazard lights if you must move to a safer location.
If your headlights fail at night, you should
Use your hazard lights and reflectors to become visible. Electrical failures should be repaired before driving further.
Calling for roadside assistance in Turkey involves
Roadside support is widely available. Stay with your vehicle but remain behind barriers if on a highway.
In tunnels, breakdowns require you to
Turkish tunnels have special emergency stopping zones. Turn on hazards and evacuate if needed using side exits.
On rural roads with no cellphone coverage, a breakdown means
Rural areas may lack mobile service. Always carry water, a map, and emergency numbers written down.
If your car breaks down in bad weather, your priority is to
Use your emergency kit blankets, lights, and reflectors are key. On Turkish mountain roads, weather can change rapidly.
The use of reflective vests during a breakdown is
Turkish regulations require all drivers to wear a high-visibility vest at night or on highways during breakdowns.
When you have a breakdown near a curve or bend, you should
Extend the warning triangle distance to give more visibility. Curves reduce reaction time for approaching vehicles.
After calling for help during a breakdown, you must
Avoid standing near the road. Wait in a safe location, especially if on busy motorways or tunnels.
When your wipers fail in heavy rain, you should
Visibility is critical. Continuing to drive without working wipers is extremely dangerous and illegal.
In the event of smoke from the engine, the next step is to
Do not open the hood until you know It is safe. Engine smoke could indicate overheating or electrical fire.
To prepare for emergencies, your vehicle should always have
Turkish traffic regulations require these items. Check them regularly to ensure they are in good condition.
If your steering fails, your next action should be to
Do not panic use light braking and avoid sharp movements. If needed, use your horn to alert others.
A transmission problem in traffic requires you to
Warning signs include noise or gear slipping. Avoid forcing gear changes and seek help immediately.
Being prepared for breakdowns helps by
Keeping a calm mindset and a stocked emergency kit makes handling breakdowns manageable and legal under Turkish road law.