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Iceland offers the traveller an adventure in a beautiful and rugged landscape.However, experience shows that the forces of Icelandic nature can be harsh and inhospitable, and travellers are well-advised to exercise caution and respect for the country's natural environment. Unfortunately, there have been far too many accidents in the past few years involving foreign tourists travelling around the country. These accidents range from minor to fatal. The most common type of accident is that of hikers losing their footing on uneven terrain. The most serious injuries, however, are caused by road traffic accidents where travellers drive too fast in unfamiliar conditions and do not wear seat belts. Have a Safe Journey - a new brochure for foreigners travelling in Iceland has been published. It's available in six languages: The video "How to
drive in Iceland" is available in four languages.
Click here...
More information here: www.safetravel.is |
Driving in Iceland
The quality of roads in Iceland varies. Highway no.1 is almost entirely paved but when leaving it, you'll often find yourself on narrow and steep gravelled roads
with potholes and sharp bends. • Reduce speed when cars come from the opposite direction, especially when driving on gravelled roads. • When leaving a paved road and entering a gravelled road, you should reduce the speed significantly. In these conditions, frequent accidents occur every year, especially among those who aren't familiar with the conditions; drivers often lose control of the car and end up outside the road. • Hills with poor visibility to the other side, are frequent. Reduce the speed when passing them and stay on the right side. • There are about 800 single - lane bridges on the highways, including 55 on Highway no. 1. Be extremely careful when crossing these bridges, reduce speed considerably and don't step onto a bridge until you're positive that a car coming from the opposite direction, has stopped. • Many Icelandic roads are elevated because of the snowfall during the winter. Therefore cars frequently overturn when a driver loses control of a vehicle and ends up outside the road. Serious accidents often happen in these circumstances, especially when passengers haven't fastened their safety belts. • During the summer, there's daylight both day and night and the day seems long. Drivers must be aware of this fact and avoid driving for too long, since they may fall asleep while driving. • Speed limit in built - up areas is generally 50 km/hour. On paved roads outside built - up areas, the speed limit is 90 km/hour, except on gravelled roads, where it's 80 km/hour. It's important always to adapt the speed to the driving conditions. • In several places there are traffic signs, indicating the recommended maximum speed and where drivers should realise that the permitted speed limit can't be recommended because of the driving conditions, i.e. because of hills with poor visibility to the other side, steep hills or other dangers. • Farm animals can be found beside the roads as well as on the roads. If a car hits such an animal, the driver can expect to be held liable for it. • The use of hands - free equipment is an obligation when talking on a mobile phone and driving at the same time. • Under no circumstances, is it permitted to drive when alcohol or other drugs have been consumed. Whether you're driving on highways, on the plateau or within summerhouse areas, is of no importance. • According to the law, drivers must drive with the lights lit, both day and night. • According to the law, all passengers must use safety belts, both in the front and in the back of the car. A safety belt can save your live.
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