More than 100 suspects, including 60 traffic police, were detained yesterday in Istanbul in an anti-bribery operation. Police officers are accused of allowing heavy trucks not allowed to drive in busy spots of the city during certain hours to do so in return for bribes.
Other suspects include executives of transportation companies and truck drivers.
Amid a construction boom, traffic of earth-moving trucks and concrete mixers in this most populated city in the country considerably increased along with the rate of accidents they cause.
Residents often complain of reckless driving by drivers in trucks carrying materials to or removing waste from construction sites. The city has limited truck access to traffic on busy streets during rush hours and drivers in violation of traffic laws are fined.