Transportation Minister Busted After Posting Video Speeding at 140 MPH

Turkey’s transportation minister has landed himself in hot water after posting a video that inadvertently exposed him driving nearly 140 miles per hour on a public highway — far above the nation’s speed limit.

Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, a key member of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s cabinet, shared the now-viral clip on X (formerly Twitter) with the hashtag #TurkeyAccelerates. But the “acceleration” became his undoing: his dashboard speedometer was clearly visible.

In the video, Uraloğlu is seen wearing sunglasses and casually cruising along the Ankara-Niğde Highway, sometimes hitting 140 mph — a staggering 55 mph over Turkey’s legal limit of 85 mph. As folk songs played in the background, snippets of Erdoğan’s speeches faded in and out, creating what he seemingly intended as a patriotic highlight reel.

The caption read: “Memories of the Ankara-Niğde Highway with folk songs. When we get tired, we draw inspiration from our esteemed President, saying, ‘We haven’t worked enough,’ and continue on our way.”

Türkülerle Ankara-Niğde Otoyolu hatırası… 📹🎶

Yorulduğumuzda Sn. Cumhurbaşkanımızdan ilham alıyor, “Yeterince çalışmadık” diyerek yolumuza devam ediyoruz…#TürkiyeHızlanıyor 🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/iGToOlTpfD

— Abdulkadir URALOĞLU (@a_uraloglu) August 24, 2025

But critics weren’t amused. Social media erupted with backlash, accusing Uraloğlu of reckless behavior and hypocrisy, especially given his role overseeing road safety.

After public outrage mounted, Uraloğlu addressed the incident and admitted he had been fined roughly $226 by the Highway Gendarmerie.

“I took to the wheel to check the Ankara-Niğde highway and unintentionally exceeded the speed limit for a short period,” Uraloğlu said. “With the video, I effectively reported myself.”

He went on to stress that “adhering to speed limits is mandatory for everyone” and promised to “be much more careful from now on.”

While the minister’s statement aimed to calm tensions, many Turks saw the situation as symbolic of deeper frustrations over government officials flouting rules.

“This isn’t just about speeding,” one Ankara resident told local reporters. “It’s about a system where leaders believe they can do whatever they want — until they get caught.”

Others mocked the irony of Uraloğlu’s patriotic montage turning into a self-incriminating confession. On social media, hashtags like #FastAndFuriousMinister began trending.

Road accidents remain a serious issue in Turkey. According to government statistics, more than 5,000 people die annually in traffic-related incidents. Critics argue that leaders should set an example, not glorify breaking the rules.

As one columnist put it:“If the minister responsible for transportation drives like this, what message does it send to the public?”

For now, Uraloğlu keeps his job — but his judgment is under fire, and the viral video has sparked an unexpected debate on both personal accountability and government transparency.