Filed under: Government/Legal
Germany's open speed limits upheld
The days of unrestricted speeds on portions of Germany's autobahn may be numbered, but they will continue for at least the immediate future, thanks to their plucky Chancellor. The lucky souls who have a valid passport, a current license, a capable car and the will to challenge themselves will be able to do so without legal entanglements a bit longer. German Chancellor Angela Merkel just added her support to legal measures that will help keep the country's autobahnen free of speed limits, Greenies be damned! OK, she didn't go that far, but Merkel's support was unflagging even against European Union criticism that Germany could do a
Follow the jump for the rest of the story.
[Source: Inside Line]
EU environmental commissioner, Stavros Dimas, had sought German support over the weekend, but Merkel rebuffed him. Dimas wanted Germany to lead the charge toward a green future, after last week's publication of climate change findings by the UN cited Germany as a prime example of a country that "isn't doing enough to reduce emissions." While explaining that German policy already supports environmental movements, she reinforced the German automakers' claims that unrestricted speed testing is what assures the high level of engineering that makes them the best in the world at speed. "If we no longer had to engineer our cars to satisfy their potential top speed, there would suddenly be a fundamental change in the way we go about our business," a high-ranking BMW insider told Inside Line.
It seems to be only a matter of time, however, before EU pressure eventually gets the better of the Germany, so we support IL's call to get yourself to Germany before it's too late. Some of the lucky AB staffers headed to Geneva might just get a chance to experience the thrill for themselves.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
CaliberSRT4 7:17PM (2/06/2007)
AMERICA NEEDS IT'S OWN AUTOBAHNEN.
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chuck goolsbee 8:10PM (2/06/2007)
Deutchland Über Alles!
oh... and #1 we do have our own, but it is a secret. ;)
North by Northwest!
--chuck
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david 8:10PM (2/06/2007)
#1, we have one. it's called the dan ryan expressway in chicago.
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Lee Roy Brandon III 9:20PM (2/06/2007)
#1 I-95 South is pretty good, but the Floridians have lousy lane etiquette...
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Brian 10:29PM (2/06/2007)
My experience on the autobahn is that the average speed is not that much different than the average speed on the interstates in the US. Maybe Ms. Merkel is wondering why the greenies are all up in arms about nothing.
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Ian 1:38AM (2/07/2007)
Sigh. Only portions of the autobahn are unrestricted.
Many, actually most it would seem, parts of it have limits, and in some cases those limits change based on traffic load and is managed by automated systems and electronic displays.
If America had driver training as robust as that in Germany I would agree, but we do not. It takes very little skill to get a DL in the US and the thought of unrestricted limits is frightening considering the lack skill most drivers demonstrate every day.
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nagmashot 4:34AM (2/07/2007)
about 45% of the Autobahn are limited, all time or part time. Many parts of that 45% have changing speed limits up to no speed limit throughout a day...
Simple ignore that talking about speed limit on the Autobahn... I am 38... since I could think each year someone starts talking about it...
The fact is, I life in the state Hessen(Frankfurt am Main area) of Germany. After the SPD lost this state to the CDU many Autobahn speed limits were deleted or set to a higher limit.
Every political party seriously thinking about a speed limit in Germany will for sure loose every ellection in Germany.. from state to federal rebulic ellections. The Autobahn is like a own child for every German... and.. no matter how fast we drove... we reduced our CO2 emission by 16%... during the same time most europen nations increased their CO2 emission by over 5%... the unlimited speed on the Autobahn has NO effect on emissions at all. The average speed on the Autobahn is as high as all around in Europs highway system... we only have the nice pleasure if the weather, traffic conditions allows it we could go faster...
The last time I was at 155mph legal... 12hours ago
;-)
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Keija 6:00AM (2/07/2007)
This debate is terrible! If the EU insists on putting up an emission max on car manufactorers, porsche will have a problem ... thus, americans too :P
and if they insist on taking our unrestricted autobahns, thenn we will loose a great "trademark" and on of the coolest things in germany ... plus, they might screw my future, if they destroy europes automobile industry! ..
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Dreizehnernuss 6:22AM (2/07/2007)
A nice european hatchback has a better mileage at 160 mph than a standard pickup at 60 mph.
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Wombert 8:25AM (2/07/2007)
There is one fundamental reason why Germany cannot, should not, and will not give up the unrestricted speeds.
It's a lifestyle. It's a huge selling factor. And a location factor. It's the ultimate reason for all car manufacturers in the world to build cars that go faster than 100mph.
One of the reasons german cars are so popular in the world is because they have a certain flair to them. With their car, the owners buy a tiny little stretch of the famous Autobahn. It gives them comfort to know that their car was designed to do 150+ mph without breaking to smithereens.
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fd 8:36AM (2/07/2007)
Lets not forget that ALL European vehicles have a mandatory annual technical inspection (new cars for personal use are exempt for 3-4years) which includes an exhaust emission analysis at idle and in motion. With the technical inspections you either take good care of your car and keep up with car maintenance, or you will be buying another vehicle soon or going by bike/bus/....
You simply will not find trucks, busses, pickups, unmaintened cars on the road that pollute 24/7/365 in Europe. If you car emits some type of smoke during normal operation, the police sends you for a technical inspection within 24-48 hours.
Add that the overall smaller cars with small engine sizes and far better fuel economy as compared to the average US vehicle, and there really is no problem in Europe compared to the US. At high speeds I bet most cars on the autobahn emit less than the average US car at the 55-65 mph.
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Galley 9:13AM (2/07/2007)
When I drove on the Autobahn back in 1986, the average speed was probably 100 mph. The U.S. military wanted us to drive no more than 55 (80 kmh) when in a military vehicle. You'd get killed driving that slow! The fastest I drove personally was 130 in a BMW 318i.
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8189720 10:14AM (2/07/2007)
The problem is that many.... no, MOST drivers in North America are dumb as shit. We don't know/respect proper lane etiquette and this makes driving almost impossible. The left lane is for effing passing, not for doing the speed limit in. Hell, if you want to do the speed limit drive in the right lane at the very least.
Here in Canada we went down from the 120km/h limit in the 70's to the current 100. I've driven at a comfortable 140km/h without any hesitation. Heck, on some stretches you can even do 180 safely, but again, try doing that when the ass in the middle lane has to overtake the vehicle in front and merges into the left lane doing a breathtaking *WOW* 110km/h without ANY regard for the vehicle flying up on his ass from behind.
Until that changes, we don't even deserve higher speed limits.
-=- end rant -=- :)
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Colin Smith 10:18AM (2/07/2007)
#11.
Surely all American cars have to have annual safety inspections too? I can't believe that there are not the checks on brake pipes, windscreen chips, rust, emissions, seat belts, brake efficiency etc. etc. that obtain in Europe, and many other places in the world. The US is not a third world country.
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Wes 10:51AM (2/07/2007)
#14
Sadly there are states that do not have an annual inspection. The one that pops to mind is Maryland, there is one inspection, as aslong as you keep the car and never retitle it....you never have to have it inspected again.
The police can issue fix-it tickets for glaring things such as broken windows, and burned out lights, or bald tires...but they rarely do.
Oh and that includes the Maryland parts of the beltway...have fun getting to DC through Maryland, home of third world driving and occasionally cars.
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Colin Smith 12:25PM (2/07/2007)
Blimey!
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Mat 1:33PM (2/07/2007)
nagmashot is my hero :)
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rodan32 2:54PM (2/07/2007)
Seems like my car burns more fuel when it's sitting in traffic, not when it's cruising down the freeway. But far be it from me to question an environmentalist, lest I be burned at the stake for weighing as much as a duck.
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Chris G. 3:09PM (2/07/2007)
Having ridden on the Autobahnen, I can tell you that it works. First of all there is the "Rechtsfahrgebot," a little logical something that Americans refuse to adhere to called STAY OVER ON THE RIGHT UNLESS PASSING! Also, cruising at 120 mph seemed mundane, as the roads are built for high speed in the first place. Putzing along at 130 kph (about 80 mph, for when restricted) seemed like a waste, when everyone knew very well that everybody was capable of higher speeds. As soon as the limits were lifted, everybody just went peddle to the metal. And the people who want to drive slowly just stay on the right. It's that simple.
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DarwinGixer 12:05AM (2/18/2007)
we Australians have lost our "autobahn" in the Northern Territory due to propaganda created by the pedestrian council.
We must keepntlimitfree
I loved the open limits as i own a GSX-R600 & there was nothing i enjoyed more on my bike than to redline in every gear until i reached top & then maintaining that speed for long distances. But im no idiot, ive invested thousands on rider training, i buy buy the best tyres ($300ea)& own an excellent helmet which is worth $600. Now i feel as if all this (plus gears 3,4,5,6) will now go to waste as i can do 130kph in 2nd gear.
Historicly road crash death rates have been dropping since the 1970's. Vehicles are safer now with seatbelts / airbags & crumple zones, yet our governments continually make us feel guilty with "worst toll ever" campaigns.
Drivers are more educated & vehicles are safer those in areas these days & should deserve a "fair" evaluation. What is safer, driving at a comfortable speed that keeps you alert, or to become a hypnotized speedo watcher?
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