Traffic the biggest cause of accidents

Traffic is the biggest cause of casualties for tourists in Iceland, but data is not yet available to show that accidents involving tourists are now more common than in previous years.

Narrow roads, single-lane bridges, darkness in winter and sleet are risk factors that tourists are likely not used to in their home regions, according to Elías Bj. Gíslason, director of the Icelandic Tourist Board’s Quality and Development.

“There are no numbers to compare with the last few years,” Gíslason says, “but we’re not sure if there have been more accidents involving tourists this year than before.

Most commonly, tourists travel by themselves in rental cars, according to Gíslasonand hire car rental companies have taken on the responsibility of informing tourists about possible dangers.

Put panels on the steering wheel to guide

“People have wondered what warning we can give travelers about the dangers we face here. What is different in our environment than what they are used to. For example, our roads are narrower than those to which people are accustomed. The car rental companies have been trying to provide information to their customers about where dangers lurk and what kind of dangers there are in driving in Iceland.”

He says that rental car companies have actually been doing a good job in this regard.

“Car rentals, the Icelandic Travel Industry Association and others have been informing their customers as much as possible,” says Gíslason, giving an example:

“What is being done, and has been done for a long time, is to put on the wheel a big card with a lot of information,” he says, adding that tourists also get information before they arrive, as well as the Safe Travel app is useful to many.

From 2019, all tourism operators with planned trips will have to have a safety plan, he says, which includes risk assessment, procedures and other measures in order to prevent accidents.

"But there are always some people who think that they know better"

“At the same time it is always possible to do better.  Therefore, in the context of security plans, if there are any unexpected events, it is important that you prepare an incident report and learn from the incident in question in order to prevent more accidents.”

Now warning lights have just been installed in Reynisfjara. Have they provided the desired results?

“We don’t know if it has been effective. Most people follow the guidelines and recommendations that are put forth. But there are always some people who think that they know better than those who are managing the areas concerned. Unfortunately, it can’t always be prevented.”