Merkel blocks autobahn speed limit
Autobahns to stay limit free, insists German chancellor
Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel has insisted that her government would not try and introduce a speed limit on the autobahns, despite a call from her Social Democrat (SPD) coalition partners, it has been reported.
The SPD were said to have voted in favour of a 130km/h (80mph) speed limit, arguing it would help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
But in an interview to be aired today on German ZDF television Mrs Merkel flatly rejected the proposal, saying: ‘This is not going to happen to me’.
'Traffic jams are at least as harmful to the climate as speeding,’ she added.
Many parts of the German autobahn have no speed limits – a fact that is enjoyed by many British car enthusiasts travelling in the country.
Mrs Merkel is said to be in favour of better traffic management systems, suggesting they would be a more effective way of preventing excessive emissions on the motorway.
German autobarns are (if I recall correctly) mostly made of concrete which is much more hardwearing and longlasting than tarmac/bitumen roads requireing less maintanence (even if like on a runway you then cover them in tarmac). Then, when they do break the germans (at night) throw men and machinery at them in order to get the problem solved in a couple of hours minimising disruption.
It also strikes me that just because people can go a million mph if they want to, not very many do. Would I be right in guessing that cruising speeds are between 80-90mph for the majority of traffic on the un-restricted sections?
The majority of drivers do have common sense. I would not horse everywhere at 130mph because I could - I would just not be so bloody nervous of getting nicked when I travelled at 85/90mph like I usually do.
P~
It also strikes me that just because people can go a million mph if they want to, not very many do. Would I be right in guessing that cruising speeds are between 80-90mph for the majority of traffic on the un-restricted sections?
The majority of drivers do have common sense. I would not horse everywhere at 130mph because I could - I would just not be so bloody nervous of getting nicked when I travelled at 85/90mph like I usually do.
P~
Rest assured though - German politicians are no better than any other country's. Recently, we had a minister saying, in public, "people, buy Toyota hybrid vehicles". Great for someone who is in power in a country where the automotive industry is employer No.1. Senseless...
Only lettuce and a bull headed refusal to build suitable uberhighways has prevented this over nearly four decades now and it is the fault, ironically, of another female politician, back when.
Only lettuce and a bull headed refusal to build suitable uberhighways has prevented this over nearly four decades now and it is the fault, ironically, of another female politician, back when.
We will have to find a way to pick off the middle lane morons and teach lane discipline all over again. I don't see that happening anytime soon, when this government (and all the sheep) are totally focused on CO2 production and enviro-mentalism. Also, how much would the government lose in speeding fines alone?
It would be wonderful, but the cynic in me doubts it'll ever happen while humans are in charge of cars. Once cars drive themselves of course, could be a different story
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