Dear Istanbulites,

Traffic is a part of our life... If traffic is flowing, then it means that life is flowing. Regulation of traffic that keeps many sectors alive, smooth and flowing from production to distribution, from trade to tourism, from industry and technology to transportation, is a global issue as well as a country issue.

We have to obey the traffic rules for safety of our life and property. The roads carry life and hope. Meeting with our loved ones and living a healthy and happy life depends on our compliance with traffic rules. Our Istanbul, where thousands of vehicles come to traffic every day, is the world's most magnificent trade and tourism center.

In order to regulate traffic and prevent accidents, all of our institutions and organizations are working meticulously and devotedly. The Road Traffic and Safety Strategy Action Plan, led by our President, has been the first step in this approach to create social awareness.

In this sense, many sustainable campaigns such as "Red Whistle", "Let Your Belt Click", "We're Always Together On This Road", "Priority is Your Life, Priority is Pedestrians" have been conducted. In order for these campaigns to turn into social awareness, our President personally participated in the campaigns and offered all his support in traffic safety. I express my gratitude to him.

In these days when our social life was negatively affected due to the coronavirus pandemic, we once again have realized that human life is too valuable not to be lost as a result of instant carelessness and insensitivity. In these difficult days, the campaigns "I'm at Home But Traffic Rules are on My Mind" and "For the Better in Traffic Every Year" initiated by our Ministry of Internal Affairs made a very important contribution in raising our social awareness. It is our duty to apply them and to keep the traffic rules in mind all the time.

We will follow the rules and apply them without compromise in order to stop and control accidents, which meant many lives, our lives and property.

I wholeheartedly thank to our traffic staff for ensuring the safety of our roads 24 hours day and night. I wish God's mercy upon our citizens who lost their lives.

I sincerely congratulate all our citizens who obey the traffic rules and save lives.

I believe that our regulation of traffic is the golden key of a healthy, happy and rich life. May your path always be open. Happy Road Safety and Traffic Week.