THE WOW WORD OF ADVICE
Driving in Iceland Having the freedom to explore while driving on your own is probably the best way to get around Iceland. But driving in Iceland requires more than just knowing how to operate a vehicle By Eygló Árnadóttir Photo: iStockphoto.com / standret
In 2016 over 220 foreign visitors were injured in traffic accidents, including two fatal ones. Most often, the driver lost control of the car and failed to keep it on the road. When driving in Iceland chances are you will spend most of your time on the Ring Road (Highway no. 1). Although paved and accessible by any car, the Ring Road usually offers only one lane in each direction and many bridges are wide enough for only one car at a time. In addition Icelandic roads are often winding and hilly, so an oncoming car can approach quite suddenly. There is little room to pass and sometimes risky surroundings on either side of the road. Do not overestimate your driving skills. NOT THE MOON Driving in Iceland can at times feel like being on the moon, and not because of the scenery but also because there are often no other cars in sight. This can give drivers the dangerous idea that they can look at
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WOW Power to the people
Driving in Iceland can at times feel like being on the moon, and not because of the scenery but also because there are often no other cars in sight.
the scenery rather than watching the road ahead or even that they can stop their car in the middle of the road or the road’s shoulder, to take photos, for example. This is not safe and has caused fatal accidents! Always find a side road, farm entrance or a lookout spot to pull over and marvel the scenery. And beware, even though you never pass a police car—there are active speed cameras everywhere and exceeding the speed limit of 90 km/h (55 mph) may get you a hefty fine. SPRING IS… MAYBE HERE
In case of an emergency call 112. Download the “112 Iceland” app to your phone, where pressing one button calls for help while sending your location by text.
April and May in Iceland can be rainy and windy with winter, oh so undecided as to when to finally let go. This means that the weather can be unpredictable. Sunshine can turn into a snowstorm in a heartbeat, so be sure to check the weather forecast regularly. The roads might still get icy, so make sure your rental has proper winter or “year-round” tires. Call 1777 (or +354 522 1100) to keep track of the road conditions
(open 8 am - 4 pm in summer and 6:30 am 22 pm in winter) or dial 1778 for an English answering machine with similar information. BEYOND THE RING ROAD Please make note: In Iceland all off road driving is forbidden and punishable with a large fine, as it can damage the delicate nature. Most country roads have a surface of loose gravel and a speed limit of 80 km/h (49 mph). Drive extra carefully on dirt roads, particularly where the paved road suddenly turns into a gravel road. Most mountain roads are only open during the summer and only accessible by vehicles with four-wheel drive. Before venturing into the wilderness without professional guidance, leave your travel plan with our heroes at ICE-SAR—the Icelandic search and rescue teams. This can be done through the 112 app or at www. safetravel.is. In case something happens on your trip, thousands of highly trained volunteers will then have the necessary information to start search and rescue. v