Preface 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. Preparation Icelandic nature can be wild and dangerous, especially for those unfamiliar with it and unused to travelling in uninhabited areas and rough country. Travellers should prepare well for each trip and know its trail and route conditions. This is the best way to prevent accidents and ensure a pleasant and safe journey. Choose clothing and footwear with care. Read about conditions in the area you will be traversing and talk to people with local knowledge, such as rangers. Let somebody know about your planned trip. Check weather and road conditions – information available from the Public Roads Administration, tel.1777 or at www.road.is. Check the weather forecast – information available from the Icelandic Meteorological Office, tel. 902-0600, the Teletext or at www.vedur.is, www.road.is, www.vedur.is Weather Icelandic weather is very volatile. Fair weather can change into a raging storm at a moment’s notice. Keep this in mind at all times, especially when travelling in the highlands. For every 100m in altitude gained, you can expect the mean temperature to drop by 0.6°C and precipitation to increase. The temperature can drop below the freezing point even during summer, especially at night. At mountain tops, wind force can multiply. Winter Iceland looks very different in the wintertime, and is enjoyable to explore in that season. However, the vagaries of the Icelandic weather can play a decisive role regarding your trip. The frequency at which roads are cleared of snow varies, depending on their defined service level. It is important to check road and weather conditions before setting off by phoning 1777 and 902-0600, checking the Teletext or visiting www.road.is and www.vedur.is When travelling in a vehicle, it is important not to abandon it if something comes up or the weather conditions are difficult. Winter tyres are essential for driving in the wintertime. Always bring warm clothing, blankets, a shovel and a first aid kit in the vehicle. Signposts There are very few warning notices posted in the Icelandic wilderness, even at popular stopovers. Tourists travel at their own risk. You often have to rely on your own good sense and judgment when assessing the situation and making decisions. Telephone connections The mobile phone connection is fairly reliable in towns, but outside them it can be very unstable. Therefore, do not rely on a mobile phone as a safety measure.The long-range NMT network covers most parts of the highlands but not all parts. The signals are often strongest on top of hillocks and mountains. Travellers intending to explore out-of-the-way areas are encouraged to use the Travellers' Reporting Service of the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue (ICE-SAR), tel. 570-5900. The Emergency Number in Iceland is 112. Driving Road conditions in Iceland vary substantially. Highway1 is mostly paved, but other country roads are often very narrow, steep and washboarded gravel tracks with potholes and sharp corners. Those unfamiliar with such conditions often find it difficult to drive on Icelandic roads, especially gravel roads. Drivers are advised to choose a vehicle which they are used to driving and can handle easily. Many travellers who are not used to driving jeeps find them difficult to handle on Icelandic gravel roads.Slow down when you meet other vehicles, especially when driving on a gravel road. Where the road changes from a paved road to a gravel road, you need to slow down considerably. Many serious accidents occur every year at such places, especially among drivers who are unfamiliar with such road conditions, lose control of their vehicle and drive off the road. Blind summits are common in Iceland. Slow down and keep to the right-hand edge of the road. There are many one-lane bridges in Iceland. Slow down and use caution when driving across them. Many Icelandic roads are raised on embankments against winter snows. Therefore,roll-over accidents often occur when drivers lose control of their vehicles and drive off the road. Such accidents can be very serious, especially when seat belts are not used. In the summertime, there is sunlight 24 hours a day. Drivers need to be aware of this and not drive for too long, as they might otherwise fall asleep behind the wheel. Fines for speeding in Iceland can be enormous. Look for the speed limit signs and always adjust your speed to the driving conditions. The speed limit in urban areas is normally 50 km per hour. Outside towns, it is 90 km, on paved roads and 80 km on gravel roads. Always adjust your speed to the driving conditions.Domestic animals are often close to, or even on, country roads. Drivers who hit animals may be required to pay for the damage. The use of hands-free kits is compulsory for mobile phone use whilst driving. Driving while intoxicated from drug or alcohol use is prohibited. Headlamps are required to be lit 24 hours a day while the vehicle is in operation. The use of front and back seat belts is compulsory – they save lives. Highland roads Driving rental cars on roads or tracks with no roadnumber is forbidden. Passenger cars and 2wd vehicles are strictly forbidden on roads that are marked with an F on public maps. This also applies to Kjölur (road 35) and Kaldidalur (road 550). No insurance covers damages to the chassis of the vehicle nor damages caused by driving in or across rivers or any kind of waterways. Driving outside marked trails is prohibited and is subject to nature conservation law. Keep in mind that fords over glacial rivers keep changing. On warm summer days, the flow increases as the day progresses. Heavy rain often causes rivers to swell, sometimes making them uncrossable even for large and well equipped vehicles. Glacial rivers usually have less water in the mornings. Deaths have been caused by underestimating the water volume in rivers. Before crossing a glacial river, it is necessary to examine its velocity, depth and bottom by wading into it. If you find that you would be unwilling to wade across the river on foot, you should not attempt to drive across it. Seek advice from experienced drivers and watch how and where they cross. Crossing rivers is only allowed on four-wheel drive Jeeps such as car groups G, H, I, K, X & O. Ensure that the four-wheel drive has been engaged before driving into the water. Drive very slowly but steadily in first gear and use the low range if available. Please note Special warning signs indicate danger ahead, such as sharp bends, but there is generally no separate sign to reduce speed. Please choose a safe speed according to conditions. Motorists are obliged by law to use headlights at all times, day and night. In Iceland all driving off roads or marked tracks is prohibited by law. Passengers in the front and back seats of an automobile are equired by law to use safety-belts. Icelandic law forbids any driving under the influence of alcohol.