It is widely reported that almost 100 people died in road traffic accidents in Turkey over the Ramazan period.  Over 400 more were seriously injured.

The increase in casualties at Ramazan is an unfortunate, but well known phenomenon, which reflects the fact that more vehicles are on the road as family members visit each other.

On Thursday, a Kamil Koç passenger bus going from Fethiye to Ankara turned over on the Eskişehir Highway, injuring 40 passengers.  And in Bolu, a bus going to Istanbul from Samsun crashed into barriers, injuring 42 passengers.

Between 5,000 and 6,000 people are killed in road traffic accidents in Turkey every year.

And on the subject of car accidents in Turkey, take a look at this incredible online news story, complete with amazing CCTV footage.

Four year old Muhammet Dirlik from Şanlıurfa, in the south east of Turkey, is lucky to be alive.  He was standing on a pavement minding his own business, when he was struck by a car and sent flying through the air.

Miraculously, Muhammet simply got up and walked away, and he is apparently none the worse for his shocking experience.

Interestingly, when the driver was questioned by the police he said he had swerved to avoid a dog.  This may resonate with drivers in Kalkan, who can sometimes come across dogs who not only wander into the road, but actually run towards your car barking aggressively.  

If this happens to you the advice is not to swerve, as you don't know who or what you will hit.

To read the BBC News article, from June 2009, complete with video, click here:  BBC News article