Bremen Germany to impose 75mph autobahn speed limit
It is being reported that officials in Bremen Germany are imposing a speed limit of 120km/h on the Autobahn in the area. The change is part of an environmental initiative, with the hope being that slowing cars down will reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. While the change will will almost certainly accomplish that to some degree by eliminating a seven mile stretch of highway in the area that had previously been free of limits, the real effect is likely to be minimal. The other thirty miles of the Autobahn in the area already had speed limits as do in many areas throughout the country. Although the Autobahn system has a reputation as a haven for fast driving, the reality is that large portions of roadway around cities and towns have had limits for decades and in otherwise unlimited areas, the majority of drivers stick to speeds of 70-80 mph or less anyway. Increasing congestion makes it difficult to just put the pedal down and fuel prices of $9/U.S. gallon and above make it financially irresponsible to drive so fast. This change is likely more symbolic than practical and just codifies what was already occurring for most drivers anyway. [Sources: Automotive News - sub. req'd, BusinessWeek]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
G... 2:25PM (4/11/2008)
i was in germany in september last year, and i had the chance to drive in several autobahns. Even where there are speed limits, ppl tend to drive at 130-140 km/h, whereas in unlimited areas, while i was driving a fiat punto turbo at around 210 km/h, i got passed by porsches, aston martins and even a lancia stratos at +220 km/h. Even families in audi sw's drive faster than what your note says.
Either ways, it doesn't matter, because the law is already working. Its such a shame that the german government focuses on the emissions that cars produce, vs the ones that many other industries, like the aeronautic one produces.
The first time I went to Germany i flew with my old man to paris in '97, bought a renault megane, and drove all across europe. out of all the countries, Germany was the most fun to drive in. Nowadays, the regulations are more strict and there are cameras everywhere. such a shame...
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Joseph 12:08AM (4/12/2008)
It sounds awfully silly to impose a speed limit on just seven miles of the autobahn. From what I've been told by some German folks I know, very few people drive at any outrageous speed.
How much fuel can possible be saved from just seven miles???
Maybe there were some safety reasons involved also?
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Kevin Nugent 8:40PM (4/11/2008)
Well as i have always said. I wish that newyork woudl raise their speed limit to 80 or even 85 miles per hour because honestly that is what 85 percent of people drive anyway . Germany is so luck to have those advanced roads. i wish i could go 100 every once in a while. Also as somebody said those driving at 100 to 120+ miles per hour are only doing it for thrill and not unnecessarily driving that speed for extended periods of time.
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