Police in Iceland could soon temporarily seize vehicles caught driving off-road under a draft bill published for consultation. The proposed legislation would also require offenders to cover the entire cost of repairing any landscape damage caused by illegal off-road driving, RÚV English reported.
The bill, which is now open for public consultation, marks a potential new approach to protecting Iceland’s fragile natural environment from damage caused by vehicles straying from designated roads and tracks. Details on when the law might be enacted or how long vehicles could be held have not yet been made public.
Off-road driving is already illegal in Iceland due to the significant and lasting impact it can have on delicate soils, vegetation, and landscapes. The proposed measures would give police expanded powers to enforce these rules and hold offenders financially responsible for the cost of restoration.
