Murat Şenkul: “Drunk Driving Cannot Be Normalized; Public Transport Is a Necessity”

Taking to social media, Şenkul pointed out, “There is not enough public transportation. Our roads are not safe enough. No one can dispute these two statements because they are true.” However, he stressed that these problems should not serve as an excuse to tolerate drunk driving.

The new legal framework stipulates that individuals caught driving with a blood alcohol level exceeding 150 per mille will face trial. Şenkul noted that courts would have the authority to impose fines of up to 15 times the minimum wage or even issue prison sentences. “There is no rule that first-time offenders will receive the maximum penalty, but repeat offenders who persistently drive under the influence will face harsher consequences,” he explained, adding that judicial discretion was crucial in ensuring penalties were proportionate to the severity of the offense.

Şenkul also acknowledged the concerns of restaurant and tavern owners, who fear a decline in business. While recognizing their worries as valid, he argued that instead of condoning drunk driving, alternative solutions should be explored. He suggested that businesses could offer shuttle services for customers or that taxi operators introduce discounted fares to encourage safer transport options.

Addressing those who oppose the new measures, Şenkul pointed to Western countries where blood alcohol limits have been lowered to below 50 per mille in many cases. “This is why normalizing drunk driving is absolutely unacceptable,” he asserted.

Şenkul further called for self-reflection within society regarding broader transportation and governance issues. “Yes, our roads are in poor condition. Yes, we lack public transport. Yes, we suffer from mismanagement. Yes, external factors interfere too much. Yes, our population is out of control. But what are we doing to fight against these issues?” he asked, urging citizens to take greater responsibility in addressing systemic problems.

In conclusion, Şenkul reinforced that driving under the influence remains unacceptable under any circumstance. “Saying ‘nothing will happen to me/us’ and constantly finding excuses instead of acknowledging the wrongdoing only makes it impossible for us to improve our country,” he remarked.

Mayor Şenkul’s statement stands as a crucial call to action for enhanced road safety and public transport solutions while reinforcing the necessity of a firm stance against drunk driving.