Off-road driving fines in Iceland can reach one million króna

Icelandic police are grappling with the persistent issue of off-road driving, with fines potentially reaching up to one million króna for severe cases. This year alone, police in the South Iceland region have recorded seven incidents, concluding four with fines and three still under investigation.

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The amount can range from 10,000 króna to one million, depending on the severity of the case, its extent, and its impact on nature.

The severity of the penalty, determined by legal experts, hinges on factors like the extent of the damage to nature and the overall seriousness of the offense. A recent case involving two French tourists who drove off-road in the Emstruleið and under the Mýrdalsjökull glacier resulted in fines amounting to hundreds of thousands of króna.

While the maximum fine of one million króna has not yet been imposed in any recorded case, the discussion around increasing penalties to deter such activities is ongoing. Police emphasize that while laws are clear, the application of fines requires careful assessment of each situation.

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The police have so far not disclosed the exact fine amount in such cases, and therefore the final response from the police in this case is several hundred thousand króna.

Authorities also have the power to confiscate vehicles used for off-road driving, though this measure, requiring a judge's order, has been rarely invoked. The recent incident did not lead to confiscation.

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The laws are quite clear. Then there is this assessment element that relates to so many aspects of the law enforcement work we do here. The circumstances must always be assessed in each case, and that is done.