Winter has already arrived in Iceland! While coastal areas and most of the South and South West have been spared the worst of the winter storms, travelers should expect winter driving conditions at higher elevations, including the Ring Road where it crosses heaths or mountain passes. Especially in the north.
12 vehicles in accidents during afternoon
According to information from the Police in North East Iceland twelve vehicles were damaged in six different collisions and accidents on a 30 km long stretch of the Ring Road near Mývatn lake. All the accidents took place between 13:00 and 16:00 (1-4 pm) yesterday afternoon. None of the vehicles was equipped for winter driving.
The accidents included three rollovers, a three-car pile up and a collision with a snow blough. Fortunately only one person sustained minor injuries in the accidents.
Trouble continued into the evening
Conditions on the roads did not improve as the weather deteriorated in the evening. According to the National Broadcasting Service RÚV the Ring Road across Möðrudalsöræfi highland plateau east of Mývatn blocked up yesterday evening due to travelers driving rental cars who were stuck in the snow. None of the vehicles was equipped for winter driving.
Packed snow on the road had turned into ice, creating dangerous conditions.
By evening travelers driving the Ring Road from East Iceland to Mývatn counted at least six rollovers along the road.
Winter has already arrived in Iceland! While coastal areas and most of the South and South West have been spared the worst of the winter storms, travelers should expect winter driving conditions at higher elevations, including the Ring Road where it crosses heaths or mountain passes. Especially in the north.
12 vehicles in accidents during afternoon
According to information from the Police in North East Iceland twelve vehicles were damaged in six different collisions and accidents on a 30 km long stretch of the Ring Road near Mývatn lake. All the accidents took place between 13:00 and 16:00 (1-4 pm) yesterday afternoon. None of the vehicles was equipped for winter driving.
The accidents included three rollovers, a three-car pile up and a collision with a snow blough. Fortunately only one person sustained minor injuries in the accidents.
Trouble continued into the evening
Conditions on the roads did not improve as the weather deteriorated in the evening. According to the National Broadcasting Service RÚV the Ring Road across Möðrudalsöræfi highland plateau east of Mývatn blocked up yesterday evening due to travelers driving rental cars who were stuck in the snow. None of the vehicles was equipped for winter driving.
Packed snow on the road had turned into ice, creating dangerous conditions.
By evening travelers driving the Ring Road from East Iceland to Mývatn counted at least six rollovers along the road.
