the legendary Autobahn

[NoOne]

Originally Posted by henk4

I don't understand why everybody should be an actor, although I have seen people acting very strangely on the Autobahn.

It wasn't supposed to be actor , it was comedian I was looking for

[henk4]

Originally Posted by fpv_gtho

i think its the german translation for motorway

correct

[henk4]

Originally Posted by NoOne

It wasn't supposed to be actor , it was comedian I was looking for

I can understand that, because there are many, many comedians on the autobahn.

[NoOne]

I was actually referring to the comedians in the forums, I unwittingly became one of them

[henk4]

[quote=NoOne]I was actually referring to the comedians in the forums, I unwittingly became one of them [/QUOTE

comedians in the forum???

[NoOne]

When Brabus posted " Wir Lieben Unseren Autobahnen " which translates into " We love our motorways " it comes across as a bit cocky - but not in a bad way The fact that he posted in German made his post targetted to a select group of people who spoke the language and presumably have driven the Autobahn.

[henk4]

Originally Posted by NoOne

When Brabus posted " Wir Lieben Unseren Autobahnen " which translates into " We love our motorways " it comes across as a bit cocky - but not in a bad way The fact that he posted in German made his post targetted to a select group of people who spoke the language and presumably have driven the Autobahn.

I see, and the Germans should love them, because as far as I know they are the only country where unlimited speed is still allowed, albeit not everywhere.
I think however it is a matter of time when there will be a uniform European speed limit of 130 or possibly 140 kph. Such a regulation takes anyway any excuse to build cars that can go significantly faster, assuming that cruising at such speeds will be at about 85% of maximum output.

[NoOne]

I'm not sure a highway without speedlimit is a great idea, I have heard that they are among the safest in terms of number of accidents, but I would be curious as to how they fare in the percentage of fatalities in those accidents.

Here in Canada our speed limit is 100km/h, but as an unspoken rule 120km/h is regarded as the norm, it was considered to increase the limit to 120km/h, but decided against as they figured people would just start driving 20km/h over that limit. We have long, straight, multi-laned, well maintained highways that should safely encompass an increased speed limit. My commute to and from work consists of approx.50 km each way, I usually drive this at 130 - 140 km/h as traffic flow permits - meaning if thats what people are driving at I'll join them.

I am a firm believer that speed doesn't cause accidents, difference of speed does. Highways are safer if everyone drove at approx. the same speed, problem being, as I stated earlier 120km/h is considered the norm, there always seems to be someone who doesn't realize they're on a highway and will drive at 80-90km/h, to me these are the dangerous people on the road as they refuse to join the majority and keep the traffic flow consistent.

[henk4]

Originally Posted by NoOne

I'm not sure a highway without speedlimit is a great idea, I have heard that they are among the safest in terms of number of accidents, but I would be curious as to how they fare in the percentage of fatalities in those accidents.

Here in Canada our speed limit is 100km/h, but as an unspoken rule 120km/h is regarded as the norm, it was considered to increase the limit to 120km/h, but decided against as they figured people would just start driving 20km/h over that limit. We have long, straight, multi-laned, well maintained highways that should safely encompass an increased speed limit. My commute to and from work consists of approx.50 km each way, I usually drive this at 130 - 140 km/h as traffic flow permits - meaning if thats what people are driving at I'll join them.

I am a firm believer that speed doesn't cause accidents, difference of speed does. Highways are safer if everyone drove at approx. the same speed, problem being, as I stated earlier 120km/h is considered the norm, there always seems to be someone who doesn't realize they're on a highway and will drive at 80-90km/h, to me these are the dangerous people on the road as they refuse to join the majority and keep the traffic flow consistent.

I agree that speed as such is not the problem, but indeed the difference is and as you describe for Canada, that can happen anywere. I have done about 15000 km during three holidays in Canada, and I find it very relaxing to drive. This really is cruise control country. 120 seems to be the right speed, given the limits that I experienced.(Alberta 110, BC and Sask 100). However it was very obvious that lot's of people were not driving very concentrated, and mirrors were scarcely used. When doing the German autobahn that attitude would create great problems as you have to be permanently on the alert.

[NoOne]

The law really needs to crack down on cell phone use,etc. Believe it or not I've actually seen people trying to read a map while driving at 120km/h, having it spread out over their steering wheel.

I don't know which country can claim the worst drivers, but it wouldn't surprise me if Canada ranked high up there, here in southern Ontario we usually have a fair bit of snow, this is nothing new ... it happens every year , yet people will panic when the roads are wet and start driving 10, 20 or even 30 km/h below the posted limits. I see these people and wonder how they get licensed to even leave their garages. Most accidents I see, especially in the winter involve 4wd SUV's, I guess the drivers figure it makes them a better driver.

As I said before, "It is better to be a high performance driver in a low performance car, than a low performance driver in a high performance car"

[henk4]

Actually I think most Canadian drivers would be terribly shocked when driving in Europe. It is generally two gears faster and certainly much more aggressive, hesitation is not tolerated. On the other hand recently I drove to Brussels in between X-mas and New Year on a part of the motorway that is normally blocked during peak hours and cars go very slowly but not this time. It must therefore have been out of habit that the guy I overtook in the middle lane doing 120 was still reading his newspaper.

[NoOne]

If anyone has a bit of free time there is good reading here on speed limits and safety

http://www.hwysafety.com/hwy_montana_2001.htm

http://americanautobahn.com/

http://home.att.net/~texhwyman/autobahn.htm

[NoOne]

I had the pleasure of driving in Britain a few yrs ago, I found the traffic quite courteous and the majority of drivers did not drive mile upon mile in the right lane.

[henk4]

Originally Posted by NoOne

I had the pleasure of driving in Britain a few yrs ago, I found the traffic quite courteous and the majority of drivers did not drive mile upon mile in the right lane.

Agree it's better there, however many drivers showed a notable tendency to stay in the middle lane.

[NoOne]

I find nothing wrong with people tending to stay in the middle lane, that leaves a lane for passing and another for traffic merging on or exiting the highway.