Last year saw a record increase in the number of foreign travellers injured in road accidents in Iceland. A report by the Icelandic Transport Authority shows that the number of foreign travellers who died or suffered serious injuries in car accidents in 2015 increased by 48% compared to the year before. The increase is even greater when compared to the average over the previous five years, or 68%. Nearly 25% of everyone involved in road accidents in 2015 were foreign travellers, compared to 17-20% in the past years.
Read more: Chinese travellers most likely to be injured in car accidents in Iceland
Hreinn Haraldsson, the head of the Icelandic Coastal and Road administration told the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service that a primary reason for serious road accidents involving foreign travellers is their unfamiliarity with conditions on Icelandic roads. In addition to single-lane bridges, which have been the focus of an intense debate following serious accidents, including a fatal accident on the second day of Christmas 2015, Hreinn points to the many unpaved gravel roads which many foreign travellers are unfamiliar with.
Read more: 39 single lane bridges along the ring road potential death traps
“Its these winter conditions, icy roads and snow, which we are much more familiar with than many of the foreign guests, and these are the things we must focus on: What we can do better and what we can do to improve the safety of foreign guests.”
Last year saw a record increase in the number of foreign travellers injured in road accidents in Iceland. A report by the Icelandic Transport Authority shows that the number of foreign travellers who died or suffered serious injuries in car accidents in 2015 increased by 48% compared to the year before. The increase is even greater when compared to the average over the previous five years, or 68%. Nearly 25% of everyone involved in road accidents in 2015 were foreign travellers, compared to 17-20% in the past years.
Read more: Chinese travellers most likely to be injured in car accidents in Iceland
Hreinn Haraldsson, the head of the Icelandic Coastal and Road administration told the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service that a primary reason for serious road accidents involving foreign travellers is their unfamiliarity with conditions on Icelandic roads. In addition to single-lane bridges, which have been the focus of an intense debate following serious accidents, including a fatal accident on the second day of Christmas 2015, Hreinn points to the many unpaved gravel roads which many foreign travellers are unfamiliar with.
Read more: 39 single lane bridges along the ring road potential death traps
“Its these winter conditions, icy roads and snow, which we are much more familiar with than many of the foreign guests, and these are the things we must focus on: What we can do better and what we can do to improve the safety of foreign guests.”
