German state adopts Autobahn speed limit
Mention "Autobahn" to an automotive enthusiast, and his or her eyes instantly light up. That single word represents miles upon miles of traditionally unrestricted high-speed roadways throughout the German countryside connecting major towns and cities.
While sections of the Autobahn have been speed restricted for years, the city of Bremen in northern Germany has just become the first state to introduce a speed limit on all of its Autobahn areas today. While the news instantly sent shudders through our throttle feet, further investigation revealed the state of Bremen has just 60 km (about 37 miles) of roadway within its jurisdiction. Regardless, for the automotive passionate among us, this move is a frightening baby-step for the German Green party (Die Grünen) and the Social Democrats (Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands). Both groups not only oppose unrestricted speeds on the Autobahn, but they also share the power in Bremen. Thankfully, German Chancellor Angela Merkel continues to rule out a national speed limit for the Autobahn.
[Source: Automotive News - subs. req'd, Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
almost Dr. G.. 7:09PM (4/10/2008)
sucks for them.. they cant brag about the complete autobahn anymore..
i guess its not just the us gov't that sucks after all.. lol..
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RPM 11:33PM (4/10/2008)
Europeans governments suck a lot more than the US, especially in terms of freedom and taxes.
BAMF 2:10AM (4/11/2008)
NORWAY!!!!
RCL1221 7:11PM (4/10/2008)
NooooOOOOOOoooOO00000ooo))))000000ooo))0oooOOOooooooO!!!!!!!11111eleventy111!!!!!!!!1.
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rndmnme 8:34PM (4/10/2008)
NEEEEEEEIIIIIINNNNNNNNN
The Doctor 7:19PM (4/10/2008)
The Autobahnen are not unrestricted everywhere - I imagine this is simply a short stretch's limit being reclassified.
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RWD fan 7:23PM (4/10/2008)
I wonder if this story will have a different reception on Autoblog Green?
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Xcountryflyer 11:10PM (4/10/2008)
Agree that the autobahn is not a free for all wherever you go, there are speed restricted parts and if you end up on the autobahn during rush hour in a very congested urban area, you'll think you're on an LA freeway at 5PM instead of a high-speed roadway.
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TIMMAH! 7:41PM (4/10/2008)
Doesn't the shuddering depend on the limit being set? Hey if they set it at 200mph, I guess I can abide by that...
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Geoff 7:53PM (4/10/2008)
Driving at 200kmh on the autobahn is pretty scary, that's as hard as I could push my lease car last time I was in germany. I'd want to have a pretty awesome vehicle to go 200mph and stay stuck to the road whilst avoiding the 140kmh plodders ....
Stuka 7:53PM (4/10/2008)
Yeah, what is the limit?
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Obi Won 8:25PM (4/10/2008)
I sense a great disturbance in the force....
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Palpatine 12:25PM (4/12/2008)
Gooood.....Goooog.....let the hate flow through you....
DKB_SATX 8:27PM (4/10/2008)
the autonews article says 120kph.
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Seminole 8:33PM (4/10/2008)
Isn't that 75mph or so?
I guess parts of Texas can claim they have higher speed limits than the Autobahn now.
Lupo 8:34PM (4/10/2008)
i never got to drive it! (sadness)
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RCL1221 9:01PM (4/10/2008)
I cn haz sadness?
Maestro1 9:03PM (4/10/2008)
You guys do realise that about 65% of Germany's Autobahn has restrictions already...
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nagmashot 10:32PM (4/10/2008)
thats wrong... only 1/3 of the 12,000km Autobahn(KBA 2007) have speed limits.. who cares if Bremen (which is only a city state not a real state) put a general speed limit on their 60km city Autoban... nearly all Autobahns running directly through a city are speed limited because of noise limits since decades...
Maestro1 10:34PM (4/10/2008)
Ah then it must be 35% lol. My friend told me that actually - I must have heard wrong. I'm from Germany but haven't been back in years so I forgot.
In any case, as long as at least 50% of them are unrestricted its still good enough.