Atlantica - 01.05.2007, Page 75

74 a t l a n t i c a
How to Drive in Iceland
A relatively large percentage of foreign tourists
in Iceland travel around the country by car.
Conditions in Iceland are in many ways unusual,
and often quite unlike that which foreign driv-
ers are accustomed to. It is thus very important
to learn how to drive in this country. We know
that the landscapes are 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 the driving.
This article is intended to point out the main dan-
gers of driving in Iceland, especially the unusual
ones that may come as a complete surprise to
foreign drivers.
THE SPEED LIMIT IN POPULATED AREAS IS
USUALLY 50 KM/HR. Speed limit signs are usu-
ally not posted unless the limit is other than 50
km/hr. It 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.
A COMMON PLACE FOR ACCIDENTS TO
OCCUR ON RURAL ROADS IS WHERE A
PAVED ROAD SUDDENLY CHANGES TO
GRAVEL. Drivers often do not reduce speed
before the changeover, and consequently lose
control. Loose gravel on road shoulders is also
the cause of a great number of accidents. When
driving on gravel roads – which are often quite
narrow – it is important to show caution when
approaching another car coming from the oppo-
site direction 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 require skillful navigation.
ON THE RING ROAD ARE MANY SINGLE-
LANE BRIDGES and the rule is that the car clos-
est to the bridge has the right of way. However,
it is always wise to stop and assess the situation,
by attempting to see what the other driver plans
to do.
IN ICELAND, YOU CAN EXPECT LIVESTOCK
TO BE ON OR ALONGSIDE THE ROAD.
Usually this means sheep, but sometimes horses
and even cows can block your way. This is the case
all over the country, and can be very dangerous.
Sometimes a ewe will be on one side of the road
and her lambs on the other. Under these condi-
tions – which are very common – it is advisable to
expect the lambs or the sheep to run to the other
side, where the ewe is.
IN ICELAND, DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS ARE
REQUIRED BY LAW TO WEAR SEATBELTS,
regardless of the type of vehicle or where they
are seated. Studies of fatal accidents in recent
years have shown that a large majority of those
who lost their lives did not have their seatbelts
fastened. Wearing seatbelts is especially important
due to the nature of accidents in Iceland: many
of them involve vehicles driving off the road and
rolling. In such accidents, seatbelts often mean
the difference between life and death. It should
be noted that children must wear seatbelts or be
in car safety seats, depending on their age and
maturity.
IT IS AGAINST THE LAW TO OPERATE A
VEHICLE IN ICELAND AFTER CONSUMING
ALCOHOL and violators can expect stiff penal-
ties.
ICELANDIC LAW REQUIRES THAT VEHICLE
HEADLIGHTS BE ON AT ALL TIMES, day and
night, when driving.
OFF-ROAD DRIVING IS STRICTLY
FORBIDDEN. Such driving results in serious
damage to sensitive vegetation, which may take
nature decades to repair.
Foreign travelers requiring information regard-
ing road and driving conditions should visit
the Public Road Administration’s 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 mentioned here. The video
can be viewed on the Directorate’s website,
www.us.is/page/english.
Photo Páll StefánSSon
icelanda
a message from the icelandic ROadS adMiniSTRaTiOn.
SpecIal promotIon