As the number of foreign travellers continues to grow the number of accidents has also increased. For the second year in a row foreign visitors are more likely to suffer fatal accidents while travelling in Icelandic nature than locals. Seven foreign travellers have died in accidents so far this year.
Related: Record number of foreign travellers injured in car accidents
Jónas Guðmundsson a specialist in accident prevention with the federation of Icelandic Search and Rescue teams told the local news site visir.is steps must be taken to reduce the number of fatal accidents among travellers.
More foreign hikers and motorists suffer fatal accidents
Fatal accidents have recently taken place at popular sites where people can slip and fall. Recently an Israeli traveller fell eight metres (26 feet) a short distance from the parking lot by Svínafellsjökull glacier. Jónas told visir.is that better hiking paths and clearer instructions at popular sightseeing spots and destinations were therefore critical.
He also pointed out Icelandic roads had to be improved to handle growing traffic due to foreign travellers. Foreign motorists are not only not used to conditions on Icelandic roads, but drive differently from locals. Foreign travellers frequently stop their cars on the narrow road shoulder to take photos or enjoy the view, something locals rarely do. Creating designated stopping areas along the ring road is one of the solutions which have been offered to increase the safety on Icelandic roads.
Read more: A few tips about driving in Iceland
More and better information key
The most effective way to reduce the number of accidents, fatal or otherwise, is to increase education and provide foreign travellers with information on how to stay safe in Iceland. Jónas told visir.is the federation of Search and Rescue teams would continue to work with tour operators and the tourism industry to educate foreign visitors.
As the number of foreign travellers continues to grow the number of accidents has also increased. For the second year in a row foreign visitors are more likely to suffer fatal accidents while travelling in Icelandic nature than locals. Seven foreign travellers have died in accidents so far this year.
Related: Record number of foreign travellers injured in car accidents
Jónas Guðmundsson a specialist in accident prevention with the federation of Icelandic Search and Rescue teams told the local news site visir.is steps must be taken to reduce the number of fatal accidents among travellers.
More foreign hikers and motorists suffer fatal accidents
Fatal accidents have recently taken place at popular sites where people can slip and fall. Recently an Israeli traveller fell eight metres (26 feet) a short distance from the parking lot by Svínafellsjökull glacier. Jónas told visir.is that better hiking paths and clearer instructions at popular sightseeing spots and destinations were therefore critical.
He also pointed out Icelandic roads had to be improved to handle growing traffic due to foreign travellers. Foreign motorists are not only not used to conditions on Icelandic roads, but drive differently from locals. Foreign travellers frequently stop their cars on the narrow road shoulder to take photos or enjoy the view, something locals rarely do. Creating designated stopping areas along the ring road is one of the solutions which have been offered to increase the safety on Icelandic roads.
Read more: A few tips about driving in Iceland
More and better information key
The most effective way to reduce the number of accidents, fatal or otherwise, is to increase education and provide foreign travellers with information on how to stay safe in Iceland. Jónas told visir.is the federation of Search and Rescue teams would continue to work with tour operators and the tourism industry to educate foreign visitors.
