Renting a car and driving in Iceland is an excellent way to explore the country. You can even look at camper van rental iceland to take out the hassle of looking for accommodation along the way. You have the freedom to go where you want, when you want. This route permits you to find some of the sights and attractions Iceland offers, ending and beginning in Reykjavík. The street system in Iceland is straightforward and great, but things are different than what you’re used to — of that sheep on the street, gravel roads hills and roundabout priority principles are simply a couple of examples. In this guide, we’ll name a few of the most common mistakes drivers make in Iceland.
Driving faster than the maximum speed
To come right to the point, the top speed is 50 kilometres per hour in populated areas, 90 mph on highways and 80 mph on gravel roads. The limit of 90 kilometres per hour on highways is a bit slower than what you’re used to. Speeding is dangerous, particularly. Speed limits assume ideal conditions, so if it’s foggy, snowy or windy, you ought to decelerate. And if you will need a further hindrance… speeding carries hefty tickets in Iceland.
Following GPS instructions to the wrong place
An American tourist came jetlagged in Iceland and wanted to get into his hotel as fast as possible. He picked up his car and set his hotel, Laugarvegur 22A’s address, in the GPS. Arriving in a new country can be somewhat confusing, and when he detected the drive would take him about 5.5 hours, he was certainly surprised. Each time he had been led to the exact same location, although he put in the speech two more times.
Not giving priority on roundabouts
Most accidents in Iceland where tourists are involved occur on roundabouts. In Iceland, traffic on the lane of a roundabout has priority over traffic on the lane. Many travelers are unaware of this principle, and roundabouts can get really dangerous. In Reykjavík, you’ll find a great deal of roundabouts and it is imperative to comprehend the priority rules.
Driving on closed roads
In Iceland, a great deal of streets is closed in winter. Because ice and snow, road conditions can get really bad. Each year travelers try to drive on these streets that are closed, causing danger to others and themselves. Though Icelandic has a wonderful rescue group, because people opt to drive around barricades they should not need to head out to select streets that are closed.
Stopping in the middle of the road
It might not look like there is a great deal of traffic, but there could be greater than you think. If you need to get that photo, there are scenic stops along the way. No matter what you do, do not stop in the middle of the street if you do not see a stop coming up. This can be dangerous. If you don’t wind up causing an accident, your motorists will definitely annoy.
Trying To Do Too Much In One Trip
We are here to inform you that Iceland is a fantastic country and driving in Iceland can be magnificent and lovely until it is not! Another mistake people make when driving being stuck the whole time and in Iceland is currently trying to do in one trip.
Iceland is far too beautiful to be stuck sitting in your car owner check for hours on end once you really should be out exploring! Be certain that you do your research beforehand so you don’t take on too much in 1 trip.
We planned a trip to Iceland and made this error and rather than exploring on a gorgeous sunny day we had to push what was 8 hours daily at least two days of our trip.
Failing To Fill Up the Gas Early and Often
Oh my goodness, this error can leave you stranded for hours when driving in Iceland. At the very least it might force you and a chance to pass up like it did last time we were in Iceland.
Yes, we did not even take our own advice and fell prey to this dreadful mistake when driving in Iceland! Fill up your gas tank when you’re driving. Iceland is rural in most the nation and this implies that gas stations are spread out.
If you would like to attend an attraction that’s off the main street, state, a waterfall, you’ll need to have sufficient gas to get there and back and then to another station safely.
Driving Off-Road In Iceland
Driving off-road in Iceland is completely and 100% prohibited! Not only don’t many tourists know that this is something, but some do it! If you get caught, you face fines and jail time, but you’re damaging the ecosystem!
It’s permitted to drive on dirt roads or pre-approved streets with stakes and names, but forcing off-road should never be carried out in Iceland under any conditions.
Yes, this includes driving at a seemingly innocent area or on a shore. Stick to the roads constantly, unless otherwise stated.