Watch your backs if you plan to travel on the longest official ice road in Europe! You heard it right. We are talking about Estonia, which has the longest frozen road located on the outskirts of Europe. The road extends up to 25 km across the Baltic Sea, which further connects the Estonian coastline to the island of Hiiumaa. However, driving on this unique road is definitely a sight to behold and is one of the most adventurous experiences you will ever have. Netizens call driving on this road an “unforgettable experience,” as it possesses an unusual adventure.
The most interesting yet surprising thing about driving on this road is that you are not permitted to take a ride after sunset. Not only this, one of the most mind-numbing facts about driving on this road is that you can’t wear a seatbelt as you have to drive your car within a prescribed speed limit, i.e., between 25 and 40 km/h (16-25mph). If you wore a seatbelt, then that would be considered illegal on this road and you might get sued for this. It sounds strange, doesn’t it?
A question here arises: why is there a need to travel on the ice at first? The answer lies in the culture. It is the culture of the Estonian people to travel on ice and they have been doing this practice since the 13th century, when the people used to tie their luggage to the backs of horses and travel for the purpose of bringing the everyday essential items from the main city’s markets. Apart from this, wolves, bears, moose, and other wild animals also used this road to bring food from the nearby areas.
Especially during winters, driving on this road becomes more critical due to the atmospheric conditions of ice. For safety reasons, you have to keep your speed under 25 kph or over 40 kph. This is because if you drive within the range of 25 kph and 40 kph, then there is a risk of ice cracking, which would ultimately pose a risk to not only your life but to the life of others as well. It is, therefore, advisable to immediately get out of your car as soon as you see the ice cracking and the emergence of water.