A little pre-planning would have saved a couple of foreign travelers hundreds nearly 500,000 ISK (4,300 USD/3,800 EUR) and a lot of trouble over the weekend. In two separate instances Police stopped and fined foreign visitors who were late for a flight. Each received a fine of more than 200,000 ISK (1,750 USD/1,500 EUR).
The Police in Suðurnes District stopped two travelers for dangerous speeding on Reykjanesbraut highway, which connects Reykjavík and Keflavík Airport. One was going 167 kmh (104 mph) where the speed limit is 90 kmh (56 mph). The traveler told officers that he was in a hurry, as he was already late for a flight. Since the traffic code does not include any exemptions for lack of pre-planning, the driver was fined 240,000 ISK (2,100 USD/1,800 EUR) and lost the right to operate a motor vehicle in Iceland.
Officers then stopped a second driver who was also speeding since he was late for a flight. In addition to speeding the driver was under the influence of alcohol. He was fined 220,000 ISK (1,900 USD/1,700 EUR) before being allowed to leave the country.
Speeding saves you a few minutes, at a great cost
We at Iceland Insider would like to urge people to budget enough time to get to the airport! Driving between Reykjavík and Keflavík only takes 45 minutes if you drive the legal speed limit. Driving at unsafe speeds, like 167 km/h, will only save you 10 minutes. Meanwhile it dramatically increases your chances of adding a huge fine to your vacation, on top of the delay and hassle that comes with a traffic stop.
More seriously you are putting yourself, and everyone else on the road at significant risk. Icelandic roads are not designed as speedways.
A little pre-planning would have saved a couple of foreign travelers hundreds nearly 500,000 ISK (4,300 USD/3,800 EUR) and a lot of trouble over the weekend. In two separate instances Police stopped and fined foreign visitors who were late for a flight. Each received a fine of more than 200,000 ISK (1,750 USD/1,500 EUR).
The Police in Suðurnes District stopped two travelers for dangerous speeding on Reykjanesbraut highway, which connects Reykjavík and Keflavík Airport. One was going 167 kmh (104 mph) where the speed limit is 90 kmh (56 mph). The traveler told officers that he was in a hurry, as he was already late for a flight. Since the traffic code does not include any exemptions for lack of pre-planning, the driver was fined 240,000 ISK (2,100 USD/1,800 EUR) and lost the right to operate a motor vehicle in Iceland.
Officers then stopped a second driver who was also speeding since he was late for a flight. In addition to speeding the driver was under the influence of alcohol. He was fined 220,000 ISK (1,900 USD/1,700 EUR) before being allowed to leave the country.
Speeding saves you a few minutes, at a great cost
We at Iceland Insider would like to urge people to budget enough time to get to the airport! Driving between Reykjavík and Keflavík only takes 45 minutes if you drive the legal speed limit. Driving at unsafe speeds, like 167 km/h, will only save you 10 minutes. Meanwhile it dramatically increases your chances of adding a huge fine to your vacation, on top of the delay and hassle that comes with a traffic stop.
More seriously you are putting yourself, and everyone else on the road at significant risk. Icelandic roads are not designed as speedways.
