Minister’s speeding controversy surfaces after photo shared by Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson in Sauðárkrókur

Iceland’s Minister of Environment, Energy, and Climate, Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson, drew attention on social media after posting a photo while traveling to a government meeting in Sauðárkrókur. The image appeared to show his driver exceeding the speed limit, reportedly traveling at 110 kilometers per hour, while the maximum allowed speed on that road is 90 kilometers per hour.

Pétur Björnsson, the chief of police in the Northwest region of Iceland, expressed doubts about the feasibility of issuing a fine, as it is challenging to verify whether the minister’s driver actually exceeded the speed limit. He noted that factors such as the car model and tire size could complicate the validation of any alleged speeding, especially in the absence of measurements from approved police equipment.

Pétur emphasized that it would be ideal for the driver to acknowledge any traffic violation by stopping at a police station; however, he admitted that such admissions are rare. The controversial photograph has since been removed.