Growing numbers of foreign visitors have contributed to a dramatic increase in traffic along Icelandic roads. The volume of traffic along the Ring Road increased by 13.4% in 2016 compared to 2015. This traffic increase has been particularly pronounced on the Ring Road in South Iceland, where traffic grew by 29% in 2016. This increase in traffic has not resulted in a comparable increase in road accidents, at least not those involving sheep.
More traffic, fewer sheep in collisions
The Police in South Iceland has released figures on the number of sheep involved in collisions with cars on roads in South Iceland which show that the number has dropped since 2014. In 2014 a total of 161 sheep were killed in road accidents, compared to 158 last year. At the same time as the number of sheep killed has dropped figures from the Icelandic Road and Coastal Authority show that traffic on the Ring Road in South Iceland has increased by nearly a third.
Read more: Farmers want a tunnel under the highway to ensure the safety of road-crossing sheep
One reason for this positive development is that farmers have been taking steps to protect their sheep from dangerous traffic. Ensuring the complete safety of sheep is difficult, however, as Icelandic sheep roam free during the summer.
Travellers should look out for sheep on the road, as it's never fun to hit animals in road accidents. An added reason travellers should take care is that damage caused by collisions with animals is usually not covered by rental car insurance. Even no-fault insurance policies do not cover such damages.
Growing numbers of foreign visitors have contributed to a dramatic increase in traffic along Icelandic roads. The volume of traffic along the Ring Road increased by 13.4% in 2016 compared to 2015. This traffic increase has been particularly pronounced on the Ring Road in South Iceland, where traffic grew by 29% in 2016. This increase in traffic has not resulted in a comparable increase in road accidents, at least not those involving sheep.
More traffic, fewer sheep in collisions
The Police in South Iceland has released figures on the number of sheep involved in collisions with cars on roads in South Iceland which show that the number has dropped since 2014. In 2014 a total of 161 sheep were killed in road accidents, compared to 158 last year. At the same time as the number of sheep killed has dropped figures from the Icelandic Road and Coastal Authority show that traffic on the Ring Road in South Iceland has increased by nearly a third.
Read more: Farmers want a tunnel under the highway to ensure the safety of road-crossing sheep
One reason for this positive development is that farmers have been taking steps to protect their sheep from dangerous traffic. Ensuring the complete safety of sheep is difficult, however, as Icelandic sheep roam free during the summer.
Travellers should look out for sheep on the road, as it's never fun to hit animals in road accidents. An added reason travellers should take care is that damage caused by collisions with animals is usually not covered by rental car insurance. Even no-fault insurance policies do not cover such damages.
