Taking a Pass on “Do Not Pass”

The sign reads, “Do not pass this point.” What to do? In your travels, you’ll routinely encounter this sign — often with a little, easily passable barrier. You’ll see “Do not pass” at a ruined castle on the top of the Isle of Skye, on a trail after a storm in the Cinque Terre, or here, hiking to a glacier on Iceland’s South Coast. These signs are very rarely enforced. While they say, “Do not pass,” I interpret that as “Danger ahead — pass at your own risk.” Of course, there are cases when the signs really do warn of serious danger (especially here in Iceland — where naïve tourists are killed or seriously injured by being careless with nature).
As smart travelers, we need to proceed (or not) with care. Generally, I believe such signs are there so no one can complain if they venture beyond them and get hurt. For me, to carefully get close to the icy tongue of Sólheim glacier was a highlight of my day exploring the South Coast of Iceland. I took the risk (along with everyone else around me)...and was glad I ignored that sign. What are your thoughts and experiences with signs like these?
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