EU wants to cap speeds on Autobahn
Say it ain't so. An EU official has gone on record suggesting that Germans should give up their beloved freedom to speed on stretches of the country's famed Autobahn in deference to the EU's more aggressive climate change policy. Reports from Germany are that the nation's people find the suggestion ludicrous, farcical and a downright threat to their freedom. The popular German slogan "free driving for free citizens" has been ringing out on internet sites collecting reactions to the proposal.
It certainly doesn't sound as if capping the speed limit across the Autobahn is going to happen, but nevertheless a debate has begun about what many consider to be a waste of fuel and needless emissions created by blasts down the Autobahn. While it's tough to argue that most people travelling at triple digit speeds aren't doing it just for fun, instituting a general speed limit based on the argument that energy is needlessly wasted strikes us a slippery slope. Formula 1, on those grounds, is a needless waste of energy, or at least one fans could forego. All motorsports, for that matter, could be targeted with this argument.
It seems to us that the proper way to address unlimited speed on the Autobahn and the extra emissions it creates are to encourage automakers and entrepenuers to develop high-performance sports cars that are also more environmentally friendly. Freedom not only includes the choice to drive fast, but also to do so in an environmentally responsible way if one's available.
[Source: Indystar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Avinash machado 1:13PM (3/13/2007)
The days of the Automotive enthusiast seem to be numbered.
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CJ 1:59PM (3/13/2007)
This really seems like the least of the world's concerns. Let them be. It's not like a race course on the Autobahn (from my experience anyways), and correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't trucks limited on their speed already... not to mention that not ALL roads are a free-for-all.
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Mike M. 1:20PM (3/13/2007)
NEIN NEIN!!!!!
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James 1:23PM (3/13/2007)
Not to mention that proof of human-driven Global Warming is a total FARCE.
The sun cools and warms. It doesn't stay at a constant temperature. We are in the warming cycle.
Much Ado About Nothing
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AK 1:26PM (3/13/2007)
I saw a report on the news that Germany recycles something like 60% of its waste and virtually all of its water. So perhaps the other European countries should achieve those numbers first before making Germany lower theirs. Global warming isn't the only environmental issue that affects the world.
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streetKJ 1:31PM (3/13/2007)
By that logic, NASCAR is the biggest emissions producing event. I support shutting down NASCAR. F1 can stay though. hehe
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BORATNOT 1:41PM (3/13/2007)
Also, by that reasoning all sports are a waste of time, money and resources. Ban them ALL i say. go EU!!! NOT
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BKadalur 1:43PM (3/13/2007)
i dont even know. being a kid i always dream about shipping my car over to germany to drive on the autobahn followed by a few laps on the nurburgring. guess these twisted pseudo environmentalists are taking that away from me.
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synergeist 1:47PM (3/13/2007)
"Global cooling" was the trend 30 years ago. Seems that the blame-humans-first hippies have found a new way to instill collective guilt on the human species.
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Reggie 2:01PM (3/13/2007)
Two things I don't lay awake at night worrying about:
1. global warming
2. speed limits on the Autobahn
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Mike M. 2:05PM (3/13/2007)
"The sun cools and warms" HA HA HA.
Yeah, like right now - the hot phase - it's like a billion degrees, and during the cold phase it's like around 998 million degrees!
James, thanks for providing me with moron statement of the day! That was a good one!!
HA HA HA!!
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Mike 2:26PM (3/13/2007)
From a well informed poster on Autoblog Green:
4. Take it from someone who lives in Germany: there are fewer and fewer stretches of Autobahn that actually have no speed limits. That there are no speed limits on the Autobahns is a misnomer. Speed limits do exist and unlike in North America are variable -- even on the same stretch of highway from one day to the next -- due to any number of factors like construction, congestion, weather and road conditions.
Those who argue that speed does not increase CO2 emissions is living in ignorant denial. If you have a car with a multifunction trip meter on the dash, you can see for yourself a shocking increase in fuel consumption with speed.
Amid the opposition from a minority, the majority of the public public and government in Germany are resigned that a general speed limit will eventually be imposed on the Autobahn. It's a question of when, not if. As a car guy I'd of course like to have the choice of the speed at which I drive but I wouldn't be whining about it if there were a reasonable because every credible research shows a correlation between speed and emissions and safety.
Posted at 2:44AM on Mar 13th 2007 by TDIMeister
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zach 2:40PM (3/13/2007)
This is moronic in general. If they really want to cut down on pollution resulting form transportation, perhaps they should worry more about jet engines, locomotives, Panamax cargo ships, or the millions of cars with outdated emissions controls that spew out tons of evil gases.
Do these people really think that the extremely small number (when you consider the overall amount of cars around the world)of cars driving at high speed on the Autobahn are even close to the biggest contributors to global warming.
This is a publicity stunt. If they want to make a significant difference, maybe they should focus their attention on shutting down a coal-fired electricity plant or two... otherwise shut up and let the Germans have some fun with their 911's and AMG's
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John P. 2:45PM (3/13/2007)
In other news, helmet laws for all drivers and passengers, robotic granny drivers for those caught speeding once and the off to prison for those speeding twice. Your photo, speeding ticket and time to show up for your prison sentence are in the mail.
Oh, one more thing, all motorcycles are now deemed illegal. Unless, ofcourse, you are Al Gore, then you can ride around in your private jet or whatever else you choose to travel in from one of your estates to the other, belching 20 times the average American's C02 emissions. Ah, the perks of inventing the internet.
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Ken 2:48PM (3/13/2007)
Ya know...maybe the EU should outlaw any trips outside the home except for going to work or official government business.
I mean, taking your kids to the zoo is a real waste of energy - so maybe everyone could just sit in their homes instead. After all, wouldn't want to waste any energy!
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gwballin 3:09PM (3/13/2007)
#11. "Yeah, like right now - the hot phase - it's like a billion degrees, and during the cold phase it's like around 998 million degrees!
James, thanks for providing me with moron statement of the day! That was a good one!!
HA HA HA!!"
Posted at 2:05PM on Mar 13th 2007 by Mike M
And I suppose you think that the sun always stays the same temperature and that surface temps are constant on the sun, lol.
I must thank you for "providing me with (the) moron statement of the day!"
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Eyad 3:17PM (3/13/2007)
"Formula 1, on those grounds, is a needless waste of energy, or at least one fans could forego. All motorsports, for that matter, could be targeted with this argument."
Couldn't have said it better myself. As much as I like cars I find most motorsports a pointless endeavor, serving only to burn up fuel/tires/etc. Cars look the same, perform the same since they're all pushing the rules as far as they can go, the race is repetitive, the only difference between the winner and the loser is cuz the 0.7degrees tweak of the front spoiler or how much gas they put in. Yawn.
The only exceptions I can say might be the Rally, Touring, or Paris-Dakar type races. But burning fuel is burning fuel.
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GrindingAxis 3:31PM (3/13/2007)
Ted Turner and other billionaires are pushing this activist agenda around the world because they have invested BILLION$ in climate change technology. This is a face.
Global Warming Facts not Fraudulent Investors Science
http://www.nov55.com/gbwm.html
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James 3:32PM (3/13/2007)
Mark M --
As moronic and obvious as it may be, scientists need a refresher in the scientific method -- specifically the need for a control and "all things being equal." To prove something, one needs all other factors to remain constant. Clearly, they can't force the sun to remain constant, and there isn't enough scientific data on the temperature of the sun to determine how its warming and cooling is directly affecting the Earth.
Further, scientists have observed Mars warming in temperature over the same recent time period. BLAME THE HUMANS, right?
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Brent 3:38PM (3/13/2007)
This is really easy folks. Pass the law and post a limit to placate the EU, then roundly ignore it and tell the politzei not to enforce it as a matter of national sovereignty. Everybody wins!
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