Stockholm - Road system
Road surfaces are generally good. Highways are well signposted, including those belonging to the European network, and there are stretches of motorway between Stockholm, Göteborg and Malmö, for which no tolls are charged. Distances are given in km; when Swedes refer to a mile (mil) they usually mean their metric 'mile' of 10 km.
Traffic drives on the right. There are maximum speed limits (indicated clearly by signs) on all roads: 50 kph in built-up areas; 70 kph on all minor roads and roads with a high traffic density; 90 kph on other roads; and 110 kph on motorways. Between mid-June and mid-August, drivers are restricted to 90 kph on roads where the 110 kph limit normally applies. All speed limits are strictly enforced and heavy fines are imposed for exceeding the speed limit. Helicopters are sometimes used to check speeds.
Left-dipping headlights are prohibited and these must be converted on cars being taken into Sweden. Awareness lights (dipped headlights or sidelights) must be switched on at all times when a car is in use and parking lights must be used in badly lit areas and when visibility is poor. Both front and rear seat belts must be worn at all times. Studded winter tyres are compulsory on all vehicles (registered in Sweden) between 1 December and 31 March.
Watch out for reindeer and elk on the roads, especially at twilight and in poor light. Many bad accidents are caused by collisions with these animals especially in the north of the country.
Cars must be parked on the right-hand side and may not be parked overnight when a street is to be cleaned. Parking meters are in use in larger towns and ticket machines (p-automat) are also common. Fines are automatically imposed for infringement of parking regulations, and for the non-use of lights and seat belts; the police are authorized to collect on-the-spot fines.
The laws relating to drinking and driving are extremely strict and motorists are advised never to drive after taking any alcohol, however small the amount. Minor infringement of the regulations results in a fine and loss of license, and imprisonment is always the penalty for driving with a blood/alcohol level of over 1.5%.
Drivers involved in an accident, however slight, must stop and exchange names and addresses, and in the event of a serious accident the police must be called immediately.
All petrol is unleaded (blyfri). Most petrol stations are self-service and many have automatic pumps (Sedel Automat) that are usable 24 hours a day; payment is by inserting a SEK 100 note.
