Within the scope of Traffic Week, the “Safe Future in Traffic” event organized in cooperation with the Turkish Association for Preventing Traffic Accidents and our university was held with high participation. The event aimed to increase social awareness in the field of traffic safety and to make a safe transportation culture permanent.
CORPORATE COOPERATION AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN TRAFFIC SAFETY
The opening speech of the program was made by Prof. Dr. Osman Nuri Çelik, President of the Konya Branch of the Turkish Association for Preventing Traffic Accidents and our Rector. In his speech, Çelik stated that traffic safety is not limited only to individual attention and obeying rules, and that a significant portion of traffic accidents arise from systemic and structural problems. Drawing attention to the mission of universities to produce scientific knowledge and raise public awareness, Çelik emphasized that strong cooperation to be established among public institutions, local governments, non-governmental organizations and academic structures plays a critical role in preventing traffic accidents. He stated that the continuity of education and awareness activities is decisive in spreading safe transportation culture to all segments of society.
Taking the floor at the opening, Onur Orhon, President General of the Turkish Association for Preventing Traffic Accidents, noted that traffic safety is beyond individual responsibility and is a matter of social consciousness. Orhon stated that in order to prevent traffic accidents, legislation, supervision, infrastructure and education need to be addressed together, and emphasized the importance of conducting awareness activities for all segments of society, especially children and young people, in a long-term and sustainable manner. He expressed that joint projects to be developed in the field of traffic safety will directly contribute to reducing loss of life.
SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE MODELS IN URBAN TRANSPORTATION
Hasan Görgülü, Head of the Transportation Department of Konya Metropolitan Municipality, provided information about the uninterrupted, safe and modern transportation networks implemented in Konya. Görgülü discussed the contributions of intelligent transportation systems, signaling infrastructure, pedestrian and bicycle paths, and public transportation investments to traffic safety, and touched upon the importance of reducing individual vehicle use both for preventing traffic accidents and for environmental sustainability.
BEHAVIORAL AWARENESS AND DRIVER CONSCIOUSNESS IN TRAFFIC
Road Safety Expert Mert İntepe, in his presentation titled “The Art of Awareness in Traffic,” discussed common misconceptions about traffic with examples. Emphasizing that driver behavior directly affects accident risk, İntepe stated that speed perception, following distance, distraction and lack of empathy are among the main factors leading to accidents. He expressed that developing awareness in traffic comes not only from knowing the rules but also from acquiring correct behavioral habits.
TECHNICAL SAFETY, BRAKE SYSTEMS AND 2030 TARGETS
Senior Mechanical Engineer and Brake Specialist Alpay Lök, in his presentation titled “Traffic Safety and 2030 Targets,” conveyed with numerical data the role of vehicle safety and technical equipment in reducing the severity of traffic accidents. Discussing brake systems, the importance of vehicle maintenance, active and passive safety technologies, and the 2030 vision set in line with the “Zero Fatalities” target, Lök emphasized that user awareness is as critical as technical infrastructure.
TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN KONYA IN LIGHT OF LOCAL DATA
Our university’s Vocational School of Technical Sciences Lecturer Dr. Mehmet Ali Lorasokkay, in his presentation titled “Traffic Accidents and Evaluation of Konya,” shared current statistics on traffic accidents occurring in Konya. Making evaluations regarding accident-prone areas, types of accidents and time periods, Lorasokkay drew attention to the importance of addressing infrastructure improvements, driver training and supervision mechanisms together.
A MULTIDIMENSIONAL APPROACH TO TRAFFIC SAFETY
Within the scope of the event, traffic safety was addressed in its technical, managerial and social dimensions, offering a comprehensive perspective to the participants. The program ended with our Rector Prof. Dr. Osman Nuri Çelik presenting plaques to the speakers and a group photo.
The event was held with the participation of academic and administrative staff and students, creating significant awareness in line with safe and sustainable transportation goals. We thank those who contributed.
