29 July 2025New traffic signs show minimum distance when overtaking
New traffic signs show minimum distance when overtaking
The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration has installed new information signs at three of the country’s busiest roads, on Reykjanesbraut near Fitjar, on the road through Mosfellsdalur and on Þingvallarvegur. They are intended to remind drivers to keep a minimum of 1.5 meters of side space when overtaking a bicycle or light motorcycle, according to Article 23 of the Traffic Act. The location was chosen with consideration for the high traffic of both cars and bicycles, but similar signs can be found in almost all European countries.
Þegar ekið er framúr reiðhjóli eða bifhjóli á að hafa a.m.k. 1,5 metra hliðarbil.
During the last revision of the Traffic Act, a provision was added to the Traffic Act No. 77/2019 regarding a minimum distance of 1.5 m when a car overtakes a bicycle or light motorcycle. Following the new Traffic Act, the Traffic Sign Regulations were revised.
The cycling community requested special traffic signs regarding this provision of the Traffic Act, but the Committee for the Review of Traffic Signs Regulations believed that publicity was better than the installation of signs, as the provision was general and difficult to enforce. After a meeting between the Icelandic Road Administration and the cycling community, it was decided to install the aforementioned information signs based on the European model to remind people of the distance provisions of the Act.
It is stipulated that when overtaking a bicycle or light motorcycle, there must be a minimum lateral distance of 1.5 meters.
Compare Article 23 of the Act.
A person overtaking another vehicle must leave sufficient lateral space between their vehicle and the vehicle being overtaken. If overtaking a bicycle or light motorcycle, the lateral space must be at least 1.5 meters.
Sérreglumerki. Nýtt. 600 x 600 mm.
Upplýsingatafla. Lágmark 1500 x 1000 mm.