Average Speed Cameras Launch in Icelandic Tunnel Tomorrow
Iceland launches average speed cameras in Fáskrúðsfjörður Tunnel tomorrow. The system photographs vehicles at both tunnel ends and calculates their speed through the entire passage. Road officials say the cameras aim to reduce accidents by preventing speeding.
Average speed cameras in Fáskrúðsfjörður Tunnel begin official operation tomorrow. These cameras photograph all vehicles and calculate their speed through the entire tunnel. The system has completed testing and is now fully ready.
Two new cameras were installed at each end of the tunnel earlier this summer. They monitor vehicles traveling through this mountain passage in East Iceland. Similar cameras first appeared in Norðfjörður Tunnel in autumn 2021.
Audur Thora Arnadottir leads the traffic department at the Icelandic Road Administration. She said these cameras serve primarily as a preventive measure. "We want to reduce speed and therefore accidents, especially serious ones," Arnadottir explained. "We know there's a connection between speed and accident severity. Mountain tunnels aren't the main accident locations, but tunnel accidents can become serious."
Average speed cameras expanded to Dýrafjörður Tunnel in 2023 and Hvalfjörður Tunnel in 2024. The Road Administration also monitored average speeds on Grindavík Road from 2021-2023.
All speed data goes directly to Icelandic police. The Road Administration doesn't receive precise statistics about driving speeds. But rough information from police suggests these cameras substantially reduce speeding.
This marks Iceland's continued investment in road safety technology. The country's challenging terrain and weather conditions make tunnel safety particularly important. Average speed cameras represent a practical approach to preventing accidents before they happen.