RoadStars goes “svenska”
RoadStars in Swedish
Sweden is the second Scandinavian market to be brought online. Here, we will share some interesting information, facts and particularities about our northernmost RoadStars market with you.
© rudi1976 – Fotolia.com
When you think of Sweden, some of the first things that come to mind are probably moose, Astrid Lindgren and endless natural areas. These aspects aren't just pulled out of thin air: Sweden has more than 100,000 lakes, is covered to 50 % by woodland and has some of the most varied natural landscapes around.
The Kingdom of Sweden sits in the eastern part of the Scandinavian peninsula in northern Europe, right between Norway and Finland.
Sweden is the most traffic-friendly road in Europe – thanks to a well-established road network, in which the state looks after the majority of the country's main roads.
But Sweden isn't just traffic-friendly, it's also the European country with the safest roads. Precise accident analyses, strict speed limits, a very low drink-drive limit and pricey fines ensure that it stays that way.
This sign is a common occurrence on the side of Sweden's roads. That's because there are accidents involving cars and moose on an almost daily basis here.
In Germany, drivers are recommended not to swerve out of the way of
game, but here, the advice is to swerve to avoid the hoofed animals as
such accidents often have serious consequences due the high centre of
gravity of the animals. It's no wonder then, that drivers warn
opposing traffic of upcoming moose in the road by flashing their
headlights.
© Max Topchii – Fotolia.com
The Öresund bridge, which spans the strait of the same name that separates Sweden and Denmark, is the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world to combine road and rail traffic with a total length of 7845 metres: while cars drive along the 4-lane motorway of the upper deck to go from one country to the other, two railway lines on the lower deck allow trains to travel from one bank of the Öresund to the other.
© Phimak – Fotolia.com
Further information about driving in Sweden.
Regulations for winter.
From 1 December to 31 March, you must use winter tyres, whereby vehicles of 3.5 tonnes or more must have a tread depth of at least 5 millimetres. Winter tyres aren't the only requirement, however. A shovel and sufficient de-icer in windscreen washer fluid are also part and parcel of a vehicle's winter equipment.
The first public eHighway in the world.
Sweden is driving technology forward with the first public eHighway in the world. Since June 2016, a 2-kilometre-long stretch allows specially converted trucks to be supplied with power via a set of overhead lines and thus to drive locally emission-free.
Priority to the right.
Like in Germany, traffic coming from the right in Sweden has priority. As priority roads are not always easy to recognise as such, drivers must pay particular attention to road signs and other road users.
The hard shoulder on out-of-town roads.
When driving out of town or on the motorway in Sweden, drivers will no doubt notice the hard shoulder. On out-of-town roads, this is reserved for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, but may also be used by cars and trucks to allow faster vehicles to pass more easily.
Toll-free in Sweden.
A generalised toll system is not present in Sweden, except for a few bridges (among which the Öresund bridge) where a usage fee must be paid. In Göteborg and Stockholm, however, there is a type of congestion charge.
In the 1960s, the woodland around the Kyrkö Mosse moor in southern Sweden looked much different to how it does today. At the time, a passionate car collector built up a collection of classic cars on his land, but was forced to leave them behind when he moved to a retirement home.
As there was nobody to look after his prized possessions, the cars
were left to nature and it was decided to leave the car graveyard
under protection until 2050. However, some people suspect that all of
the classics will be eaten up completely by the moor until then.
- The Swedish registration plate comprises a combination of three letters and three numbers. Once assigned to a vehicle, it stays with the vehicle until it is scrapped, regardless of whether the vehicle owner changes.
- In Sweden, drivers must drive with their dipped-beam headlamps at all times.
- Solid yellow lines on the edge of the road signal a no-stopping zone.
- Broken yellow lines or zigzag lines signal a no-parking zone.
- Sweden drove on the left-hand side until 1967.
- Dozens of “Warning – Moose!” road signs get stolen each year by tourists as a souvenir.
Header picture: © christian keller – iStock.com
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