MARDİN - Mardin Turkish Medical Association Secretary General Derya Etem pointed out the increasing rate of cases caused by armored vehicles, which are like death vehicles, and she said the armored vehicles became a problem for public health and safety.

 

Armored vehicles, which have killed dozens of people in Kurdistan for two years, have continued to occupy the streets. Since 2008, at least 25 people, mostly children, have been killed by armored vehicles and 12 children were seriously wounded by armored vehicles. Most of the investigations opened for these cases were closed due to lack of grounds for legal action and some of drivers were released from prison. On November 19, Fatma Nure Dursun was hit by armored vehicle in Mardin while crossing the road and she was seriously wounded. Mardin Turkish Medical Association Secretary General Derya Etem said the armored vehicles became a problem for public health and the armored vehicles shouldn’t been used in areas where people live.

 

Most children die

 

Pointing out the increasing armored vehicles accidents in Kurdistan, Derya said, “In the last two years, the deaths and injuries due to armored vehicles have headed straight for the top. The most affected group by these accidents is children. In fact, the accidents by panzers aren’t individual accidents anymore. These events have appeared as a health problem.”

 

‘They must have a certain speed limit’

 

Expressing that the accidents caused by armored vehicles aren’t accidents, they are a problem for public health and safety, Derya added, “Because it is very difficult to evaluate them as a traffic accident. These vehicles aren’t normal vehicles. The armored vehicles should be used to protect the people. Therefore, they have a certain speed limit. They shouldn’t cause accident. I underline again, the number of people killed or injured by armored vehicles is too much and the events have become a problem for public health and safety.”