A 17-kilometer-long ice road was officially opened by the Transport Administration on Sunday between Estonia's biggest islands, Hiiumaa and Saaremaa, to give islanders an alternative route to the mainland as ferry services struggle with sea ice. To ensure safety on the 24-centimeter-thick route, drivers must adhere to strict protocols, including a ban on seatbelts to allow for emergency exits and a mandatory "speed gap" between 20 and 40 kph to prevent destructive ice vibrations. Ice-roads have cultural significance in Estonia but due to the recent mild winters, they have not been open for the past eight years.
