A relatively large percentage of
foreign tourists in Iceland travel around the country by car. Conditions
in Iceland are unusual in many ways and often quite unlike those to
which foreign drivers are accustomed. It is therefore very important to
find out how to drive in this country. We know that the landscape is
beautiful, which naturally draws the attention of the driver away from
the road. But in order to reach your destination safely, you must keep
your full attention on driving.
This article is intended to point out the main dangers when driving
in Iceland, especially the unusual ones that may come as a complete
surprise to foreign drivers.
What are the speed
limits in Iceland?
The speed limit in populated areas is
usually from 30 - 50 km/hr. Speed limit signs are usually not posted
unless it is other than 50 km/hr. The speed limit is often 60 km/hr on
thruways, but in residential areas it is usually only 30 km/hr. The main
rule on highways is that gravel roads have a speed limit of 80 km/hr
and paved roads 90 km/hr. Signs indicate if other speed limits apply.
Gravel
roads, blind hills & blind curves on Icelandic Roads
A common place for accidents to occur
on rural roads is where a paved road suddenly changes to gravel. The
main reason is that drivers do not reduce speed before the changeover to
gravel, and consequently lose control. Loose gravel on road shoulders
has also caused a great number of accidents. When driving on gravel
roads which are often quite narrow it is important to show caution when
approaching an oncoming car by moving as far to the right as is safely
possible.
Blind hills where lanes are not separate can be very dangerous and
should be approached with caution. There are also many blind curves in
Iceland that test a driver´s skill.
Single-lane
bridges
There are many single-lane bridges on the Ring
Road. The actual rule is that the car closer to the bridge has the
right-of-way. However, it is wise to stop and assess the situation, i.e.
attempt to see what the other driver plans to do. This sign indicates
that a single-lane bridge is ahead.
Livestock on the
road
In Iceland, you can expect livestock
to be on or alongside the road. It is usually sheep, but sometimes
horses and even cows can be in your path. This is common all over the
country, and can be very dangerous. Sometimes a sheep is on one side of
the road and her lambs on the other side. Under these conditions which
are common it is a good rule to expect the lambs or the sheep to run to
the other side.
Seatbelts are required by law in
Iceland
In Iceland, drivers and passengers
are required by law to wear seatbelts, regardless of the type of vehicle
or where they are seated. Investigations of fatal accidents in recent
years have shown that a large majority of those who died did not have
their seatbelts buckled. Wearing seatbelts is especially important
because of the nature of accidents in Iceland: many of them involve
vehicles driving off the road and rolling over. In such accidents,
seatbelts often mean the difference between life and death. It should be
noted that children must either wear seatbelts, or be in car safety
seats, depending on their age and maturity.
Necessary
to bear in mind when driving in Iceland
- It is against the law to operate a vehicle in Iceland after having
consumed alcohol. The punishment for violating this law is rather
stiff.
- Iceland requires that vehicle headlights be on at all
times, day and
night, when driving.
- It is strictly forbidden to drive
off-road. Such driving results in
serious damage to sensitive vegetation, which may take nature decades to
repair.
- Foreign travellers requiring information regarding road
and driving
conditions should visit the Public Road Administrations website at www.vegagerdin.is
- It should
be noted that the Road Traffic Directorate has produced a
video for foreign drivers, which covers all the points that have been
mentioned here. The video can be viewed on the Directorates website, www.drive.is