Driving in Stavanger
Driving in Stavanger
Driving in Stavanger, and in Norway, is not unlike driving other places. We drive on the right-hand side and have many similar rules and signs to other European and Western countries. There are however two rules which one should observe :
- Don't drink and drive
- Yield for traffic coming from your right unless otherwise noted
You commit an offense if you drive or attempt to a drive a motorized vehicle when the proportion of alcohol in your blood exceeds 0,2 parts per thousand, determined by a blood test. The test is usually performed with a breath-analyzer. The penalty for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is usually heavy fines and depending on the alcohol level, also jail. Norway was the first country to make laws against drunk-driving, nearly 60 years ago.
Main roads in Norway do not always have the right of way. Unless you are driving on a road with the sign below, you are supposed to yield for all traffic coming from your right.
You also have to yield for pedestrians in pedestrian-crossings marked with white stripes on the road and often marked with the following sign :
Speed limits vary in Norway from 30 km/h near housing developments to 90 km/h on major highways. In rural areas the speed limit is usually 50 or 60 km/h.
Roundabouts are rather new in the Stavanger, but they have turned out numerous. You are supposed to yield for all traffic within the roundabout. This is usually done by yielding for traffic from your left.
Besides this, wear your seatbelts, keep your headlights on, don't use a cellular phone when driving, and use common sense!
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Do you need a map of Stavanger? Go to Stavanger Guide for a city map, surrounding area map or even special event maps |