Travel

Video: Sudden winter conditions on Ring Road catch travelers unprepared. Dozens assisted by ICE-SAR

By Staff

Winter adventure Dozens of travelers in recent days have discovered winter travel in Iceland can be a challenge! Photo/Screenshot from video, see below

Dozens of travelers have been caught unprepared by the sudden onset of winter in Iceland. Those worst hit have been travelers on a road-trip along the Ring Road in East and North Iceland, where sudden winter conditions have developed, where travelers driving small rental cars not equipped for winter travel have been overwhelmed by snow and difficult driving conditions.

Earlier: 12 cars in accidents connected to winter conditions in North Iceland, at least 6 rollovers

The National Broadcasting Service RÚV reports that what's making matters worse is that most rental cars are still outfitted with summer tires. Members of ICE-SAR battalions in the region, Police and towing companies have been busy in the past couple of days assisting drivers who had skidded off the road, had suffered rollovers or collisions, or were simply stuck on the icy road unable to continue.

Extremely difficult conditions

The video below, shot on Road 95 on Breiðdalsheiði heath in East Iceland shows the conditions yesterday. Road 95 runs across the heath, connecting Breiðdalsvík village to Egilsstaðir town, providing an alternate route on the Ring Road. Since the road across Breiðdalsheiði provides something of a short-cut on the Ring Road many travelers are tempted to take the road, but during winter it is always a safer bet to stick to the Ring Road.

(Another "short-cut" on the Ring Road in East Iceland is Öxi, Road 939. Öxi is a borderline F-road, and should be avoided in winter.)

The video was shot by a local ICE-SAR member, Helga Hrönn Melsteð, who was on the heath assisting people yesterday. At least a dozen travelers needed help from first responders to make it back down from the heath. Nobody was injured, although some vehicles were damaged. The scene in the video below was the result of a collision caused by an oncoming car slamming into vehicles stuck on the road. The driver of the oncoming vehicle was unable to stop, skidding into the three vehicles which were stranded by the snow and ice.

Remember to please slow down and stay safe!