Turkey’s transport sector is entering a new era of transparency and safety. In August 2025, the Turkish Ministry of Transport officially mandated that all commercial passenger vehicles — including taxis, school buses, and minibuses — must be equipped with GPS tracking systems, dual interior and exterior cameras, and emergency buttons (Official Gazette No. 32991).
This policy comes in response to the country’s rising number of public transport incidents. According to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), more than 1.3 million traffic accidents were recorded in 2023, many involving passenger vehicles. The new regulation is designed not to monitor drivers but to create a smarter, safer, and more accountable transport ecosystem.
Redefining Vehicle Monitoring: From Control to Care
For decades, vehicle cameras were seen as surveillance tools — “eyes watching you.” But Turkey’s new regulation redefines their role, positioning them as safety guardians that enhance accountability rather than invade privacy.
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The law primarily applies to public-facing vehicles — such as taxis, buses, and school transport — where transparency ensures trust among drivers, passengers, and regulators.
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Turkey’s Council of State confirmed that in-vehicle cameras do not violate privacy rights when implemented responsibly for the purposes of safety and crime prevention (Duvar English).
This marks a cultural shift in transportation safety — a move from control to protection, where “smart visibility” enables safer journeys for everyone.
For a deeper understanding of how modern fleet tracking combines real-time data and analytics to enhance operational safety, explore our guide on telematics for fleet management.
Case Study: Safer School Buses in Istanbul
Istanbul has taken an early lead in implementing these safety measures. Every school transport vehicle in the city must now feature:
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Interior and exterior dash cameras
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A GPS tracking system for live location updates
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An emergency response button connected to monitoring centers
This setup ensures that any event — from traffic collisions to bullying incidents — is immediately detected and recorded. Authorities can respond in real time, and parents gain peace of mind knowing that every trip is securely monitored.
This approach also benefits drivers by providing transparent evidence in case of disputes or false claims — promoting fairness alongside safety.
Intelligent Dash Cams: Technology Supporting Safety
As Turkey adopts a new national safety framework, advanced dash cams are at the heart of compliance. Modern models go far beyond recording; they integrate AI-assisted monitoring, motion detection, and wireless connectivity to keep data secure and actionable.
The V7 Pro Dual-Camera Dash Cam exemplifies this new generation of intelligent vehicle monitoring. It records both the road and cabin simultaneously while analyzing driver behavior — detecting fatigue, distractions, and harsh braking through AI.
For fleets or operators seeking a more streamlined setup, the V5 Fleet Dash Cam with GPS Tracking offers clear 2K HD footage, built-in GPS tracking, and real-time data upload capabilities, making it ideal for smaller commercial operations.
To understand how motion-based safety features enhance these systems, check out our article on dash cam motion detection and why it matters.
Data Responsibility and Privacy Protection
While safety is the driving force, Turkey’s Personal Data Protection Law (KVKK) ensures that privacy remains a core priority. Under this framework:
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Video footage must be used solely for safety and evidence purposes.
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Both drivers and passengers must be informed of video recording.
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Data must be encrypted, securely stored, and accessible only to authorized personnel.
This principle of “privacy by design” ensures that safety technology enhances security without compromising personal rights — proving that responsible innovation and human dignity can coexist.
For additional insights on how Wi-Fi functions in secure video data transmission, visit our resource on how Wi-Fi works in dash cams.
A Global Lesson: Safety Through Transparency
Turkey’s dash cam mandate represents more than a regulatory shift — it’s a redefinition of how societies view surveillance and safety. When technology is designed around accountability, transparency becomes a bridge between trust and protection.
Dash cams like SEEWORLD’s V7 Pro and V5 Fleet illustrate this philosophy in action — combining AI insights, real-time telematics, and privacy-first design to make transportation safer and smarter.
As countries worldwide look to strengthen road safety frameworks, Turkey’s approach offers a clear message:
Safety begins with visibility — and visibility builds trust.
