Driving with Elfis -Dangers on Icelandic roads? (long version)

Samgöngustofa Myndbönd

20 May 201609:01

Summary

TLDRThis script offers a humorous yet informative guide to driving in Iceland, highlighting the unique conditions and safety tips for foreign drivers. It covers speed limits, road changes, weather, wildlife encounters, and the importance of seat belts. It also touches on local laws, such as alcohol consumption, mobile phone use, and the environmental impact of off-road driving, all while engaging with a character named Elvis, who humorously identifies as an elf.

Takeaways

🚗 **Driving in Iceland**: It's crucial to be aware of the unique driving conditions in Iceland, as they differ from what many foreign drivers are accustomed to.
🛣️ **Road Conditions**: The landscape is beautiful but can distract drivers; maintaining full attention on the road is essential for safety.
🚦 **Speed Limits**: In populated areas, the speed limit is usually 50 km/h, and in rural areas, gravel roads have a limit of 80 km/h and paved roads 90 km/h.
📸 **Speed Enforcement**: Speed enforcement cameras are widely used, and fines for speeding can be over 100,000 Icelandic krona.
🛑 **Handling Gravel Roads**: Drivers should reduce speed before transitioning from paved to gravel roads to avoid losing control of the vehicle.
🚨 **Emergency Situations**: If a car begins to lose control, it's important to step off the gas and steer gently until control is regained.
🌉 **Single Lane Bridges**: On single-lane bridges, the car closer to the bridge has the right of way, but it's wise to stop and assess the situation.
💺 **Seat Belts**: Wearing seat belts is mandatory by law in Iceland, and it's especially important due to the nature of common accidents.
🌡️ **Weather Changes**: The weather can change rapidly in Iceland, making it vital to check weather forecasts before traveling.
🐑 **Livestock on Roads**: Livestock, particularly sheep, can be on or near the roads, and drivers should be prepared for sudden appearances.
📱 **Driving Etiquette**: It's illegal to operate a vehicle after consuming alcohol, headlights must be on at all times, mobile phones should only be used hands-free, and off-road driving is forbidden.

Q & A

What is the main mode of transportation for foreign tourists in Iceland?
-A large part of foreign tourists in Iceland travel around the country by car.
Why is it important for drivers to know how to drive in Iceland?
-The landscape in Iceland is beautiful and can draw the driver's attention away from the road, making it important to keep full attention on driving to reach the destination safely.
What is the usual speed limit in populated areas in Iceland?
-The speed limit in populated areas is usually 50 km/h, and speed limit signs are not posted unless other speed limits apply.
What is the suggested speed limit on gravel roads in rural areas of Iceland?
-The rule of thumb is that gravel roads have a speed limit of 80 km/h.
What is the penalty for speeding in Iceland?
-Speeding fines can reach over 100,000 Icelandic krona.
What should drivers do if they lose control of the car on a gravel road?
-Drivers should step off the gas and turn the steering wheel gently the same way the car is pulling until the car has regained control.
Why are single-lane bridges on Highway number one potentially dangerous?
-They can be dangerous because the car closer to the bridge has the right of way, but it is wise to stop and assess the situation to see what the other driver plans to do.
What is the legal requirement for seat belt usage in Iceland?
-Drivers and passengers are required by law to wear seat belts regardless of the type of vehicle or where they are seated.
How can drivers check the weather forecast while traveling in Iceland?
-Drivers can call 902600 for weather or 1778 for roads, or visit road.is and weather.is for updates.
What is the potential hazard of livestock on or alongside the road in Iceland?
-Livestock, usually sheep but sometimes horses and cows, can be in the path of vehicles, which can be very dangerous.
What are some of the driving laws and regulations in Iceland that drivers should be aware of?
-It is against the law to operate a vehicle after consuming alcohol, vehicle headlights must be on at all times, mobile phone use is prohibited unless hands-free, and driving off-road is forbidden due to environmental damage.

Outlines

00:00

🚗 Driving in Iceland: Safety and Regulations

This paragraph emphasizes the unique driving conditions in Iceland and the importance of adhering to local traffic rules for safety. It mentions the picturesque landscape that can distract drivers, the need to maintain focus on the road, and the specific speed limits in populated and rural areas. The script also discusses the consequences of speeding, including hefty fines, and provides tips on handling situations like a sudden change from paved to gravel roads, narrow gravel roads, and blind curves. Additionally, it touches on the presence of single-lane bridges and the necessity of caution when approaching them.

05:01

🛡️ Safety Precautions and Legal Requirements

The second paragraph focuses on the legal and safety requirements for driving in Iceland. It highlights the mandatory use of seat belts for all passengers, the need for children to be in appropriate safety seats, and the importance of checking weather forecasts due to the country's rapidly changing conditions. The script also addresses the potential hazards of encountering livestock on the roads and the driver's liability in such cases. Furthermore, it covers the prohibition of driving under the influence of alcohol or intoxicants, the requirement to keep vehicle headlights on at all times, the ban on using mobile phones while driving without hands-free equipment, and the environmental impact of off-road driving.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Foreign tourists

Foreign tourists refer to individuals who travel from their home country to visit another. In the context of the video, they are the primary audience for the driving safety tips provided, as they may not be familiar with the unique driving conditions in Iceland. The script mentions that a large part of these visitors travel around the country by car, emphasizing the importance of understanding local driving customs.

💡Driving conditions

Driving conditions encompass the various environmental and infrastructural factors that affect the act of driving. The video script highlights that conditions in Iceland are unusual and often different from what foreign drivers are accustomed to, such as the landscape's beauty being a potential distraction and the specific speed limits on different types of roads.

💡Speed limit

A speed limit is the maximum speed at which vehicles are legally allowed to travel on a particular road. The script specifies different speed limits for populated areas and rural roads, and also mentions that enforcement cameras are used to monitor compliance with these limits, with severe penalties for speeding.

💡Gravel roads

Gravel roads are unpaved roads made of gravel or crushed stone. The video script notes that these roads have a speed limit of 80 km/hour and cautions drivers about the potential for losing control when transitioning from paved to gravel roads, emphasizing the need for reduced speed and careful driving.

💡Control

Control in the context of driving refers to the ability to manage and direct the vehicle's movements safely. The script advises drivers not to panic and to avoid jamming the brakes too hard when the car starts to lose control, as this could lead to an accident.

💡Seat belts

Seat belts are safety devices designed to secure the occupants of a vehicle and prevent injuries in the event of a crash. The video emphasizes the legal requirement for all drivers and passengers to wear seat belts in Iceland, highlighting their importance in life-threatening accidents involving vehicles rolling over.

💡Weather forecast

A weather forecast provides information about expected weather conditions. The script stresses the importance of checking the weather forecast while traveling in Iceland due to the country's rapidly changing weather, which can affect driving conditions and safety.

💡Livestock

Livestock refers to domesticated animals raised for various purposes, such as food, fiber, or labor. The video mentions that livestock, particularly sheep, can be on or near the roads, posing a risk to drivers who must be prepared for sudden appearances of animals and the potential need to avoid collisions.

💡Headlights

Headlights are the front lights of a vehicle used for illumination while driving at night or in conditions of reduced visibility. Icelandic law, as mentioned in the script, requires that vehicle headlights be on at all times, day and night, to enhance visibility and safety.

💡Intoxicants

Intoxicants are substances that can induce a state of intoxication, such as alcohol or drugs. The video script clearly states that it is against the law to operate a vehicle in Iceland after consuming intoxicants, with severe penalties for violations, underscoring the importance of sober driving.

💡Mobile phone

A mobile phone is a portable device used for communication and accessing various services. The script advises against using a mobile phone while driving and mandates the use of hands-free equipment if necessary, to prevent driver distraction and ensure safety.

💡Offroad driving

Offroad driving refers to the act of driving a vehicle on surfaces other than paved or gravel roads, often causing damage to the environment. The video script strictly forbids offroad driving in Iceland, noting the severe damage it can cause to the sensitive vegetation and the long time required for nature to recover.

Highlights

Foreign tourists in Iceland often travel by car, but the driving conditions are unusual compared to what they are accustomed to.

The beautiful landscape in Iceland can distract drivers from the road, so it's important to keep full attention on driving.

Speed limits in populated areas are usually 50 km/h, with no posted signs unless other limits apply.

In rural areas, gravel roads have a speed limit of 80 km/h and paved roads 90 km/h.

Speed enforcement cameras are widely used in Iceland, with speeding fines reaching over 100,000 Icelandic krona.

A common place for accidents on rural roads is where a paved road suddenly changes to gravel.

If a car loses control on a gravel road, it's important not to panic and not to jam the brakes too hard.

Gravel roads are often narrow, so caution is needed when approaching oncoming traffic.

Blind curves can test a driver's skill and require reducing speed and being careful.

On single-lane bridges, the car closer to the bridge has the right of way, but it's wise to stop and assess the situation.

Drivers and passengers in Iceland are required by law to wear seat belts at all times.

Children in Iceland must wear seat belts or be in car safety seats depending on their age and maturity.

The weather in Iceland can change rapidly, so it's important to check the weather forecast while traveling.

Livestock such as sheep, horses, and cows can be on or near the road and pose a danger to drivers.

If a car hits an animal like a sheep, the driver can be held liable for it.

During summer in Iceland, the sun is visible both day and night, so drivers must be aware of this and avoid driving for too long to prevent falling asleep.

It's illegal to operate a vehicle in Iceland after consuming alcohol or other intoxicants, with severe penalties for violations.

Vehicle headlights must be on at all times, day and night, when driving in Iceland.

Using a mobile phone while driving is prohibited in Iceland, with hands-free equipment being the only allowed alternative.

Driving off-road is strictly forbidden in Iceland due to the serious damage it causes to the sensitive vegetation.

Littering is not allowed in Iceland, as emphasized in the transcript.