Driving on Germany Autobahn

[Grant Hoar]

Figured we had enough discussion in the Construction Zones thread, thought I would start a new one about folks that actually know how to drive at speed.

OK, now not all autobahns are unlimited speed. They have speed limits near major cities, heavy congestion areas, and they adjust the speed limits on variable message signs overhead depending upon conditions. Also, if going over 130 kph (80 mph) you start getting into issues with whether your insurance actually covers you.

With that said, in some areas there are no speed limits, and they drive as safely and as successfully as they do by following about FOUR major rules, which are:
1. The faster vehicle always has the right of way. If you are in the left lane, and a guy comes up behind you and puts on this left turn signal, that is the signal that you have f...ed up and held him up. Get out of the way
2. The left lane is for passing. No matter what speed you are moving, if you pass someone and the middle lane is open, move right and get into the middle lane
3. Never, ever, ever, ever pass another car on the right
4. When pulling out to pass, make sure you will not be holding up someone who is going faster than you and coming up behind you. This is a variation of number 1

That is basically it. And, keep in mind you might have semi's in the right lane going 50 mph, folks in the middle lane going 90 mph, and folks in the left lane going 150 mph.

Spent a few weeks there of vacation over the years. They are serious about their driving, and most of the 120 to 150 mph drivers are not in sports cars, but in business class big Mercedes, BMW's, and Audi's.

I personally was driving 130 mph (nice Mercedes rental car) in the middle lane, having just passed somebody, and got passed by a much faster driver.

Had some friends from Germany come visit me in the states later that summer. I picked them up at O'Hare, and explained to them what they were going to see on the roadway and how folks here drive. Less than 10 miles from O'Hare, and they couldn't believe what they were seeing, they said they were more scared here driving 60 mph than in Germany doing 110.

Oh, autobahn construction zones have big message signs with construction speed limits posted, along with really high resolution cameras to go with them. Speed through a construction zone, and you will get a ticket and a very high quality photograph mailed to your home. Guess what, no one speeds in their construction zones!

All american drivers could learn something about rules and common sense by spending one day on the autobahn.

 

[J.Glenn]

One thing I noticed was how well the truckers (and everyone else for that matter) actually abide by the laws. They have a restricted speed limit of 80km/h (50mph)...and they abide by it in the far right lane. Unlike here in the US where you have a much wider range of speed amongst what the truckers do.

 

[snobuilder]

Ever since WI went to the 70 mph limit all the fatheaded dimwhits started thinking they was on a self declared cheddarobahn.

I think I am safer driving on a freeway full a drunks if what I am seeing out there is sober ppl....they obviously is drunk on their own self importance.


As far as the Construction zone speedingidiots....I was more than happy to shine the light on them.

 

[ezra]

the thing I learned about a wreck on a high speed limit freeway in Italy is when there is a wreck U can literally be there all day. all the people know it to it is crazy they start pulling out lawn chars shooting the chit then in about a hr or 2 the emergency responders make a appearance then in a few more hrs u may actually start to move again .
also the asphalt they used on the freeway I spent 3/4 of a day sitting on was very course like none I had ever seen large rock with tons of air pockets . would be a disaster in a freezing climate but I did notice it really shed the rain on a diff day

 

[xcr440]

Ever since WI went to the 70 mph limit all the fatheaded dimwhits started thinking they was on a self declared cheddarobahn.

I think I am safer driving on a freeway full a drunks if what I am seeing out there is sober ppl....they obviously is drunk on their own self importance.


As far as the Construction zone speedingidiots....I was more than happy to shine the light on them.

WI drivers are a piece of cake. You should see how bad it is in Minnesota, especially when they drive in WI - 4 out of 5 cars that sit in the left lane have MN plates.

I drive to Point and back very regularly, and it is clearly obvious who the self important drivers no matter the traffic are. Yes, Minnesota drivers. They are literally clueless to any other vehicles on the road besides themselves, sit in the left lane, speed up when you try to go around them, and drive right next to the guy in the right lane for miles and miles with someone behind them like they are trying to control traffic flow even though there are no other cars for a 1/4 mile or more.

I used to have a sign in my back window that in large letters read:
"As slow as you want in the right lane --->"

 

[snobuilder]

WI drivers are a piece of cake. You should see how bad it is in Minnesota, especially when they drive in WI - 4 out of 5 cars that sit in the left lane have MN plates.

I drive to Point and back very regularly, and it is clearly obvious who the self important drivers no matter the traffic are. Yes, Minnesota drivers. They are literally clueless to any other vehicles on the road besides themselves, sit in the left lane, speed up when you try to go around them, and drive right next to the guy in the right lane for miles and miles with someone behind them like they are trying to control traffic flow even though there are no other cars for a 1/4 mile or more.

I used to have a sign in my back window that in large letters read:
"As slow as you want in the right lane --->"

That is a whole nuther story. The weird way that on a 2 lane, folks who are too damn scared to pass the guy in front of them, speed up and close the gap when you go to pass them....they is ditch worthy individuals.

I will say it one more time for the hard of reading...outside the construction zones....go nuts, Billy Bob!...I will stay right....YOU GO BOY!!!!

 

[lofsfire]

the thing I learned about a wreck on a high speed limit freeway in Italy is when there is a wreck U can literally be there all day. all the people know it to it is crazy they start pulling out lawn chars shooting the chit then in about a hr or 2 the emergency responders make a appearance then in a few more hrs u may actually start to move again .
also the asphalt they used on the freeway I spent 3/4 of a day sitting on was very course like none I had ever seen large rock with tons of air pockets . would be a disaster in a freezing climate but I did notice it really shed the rain on a diff day

I don't know but this might be porous pavement. The last company I worked for had few LEAD design projects we worked on and porous pavement work very well. It has also held up great in the winter...
The video is just a random video from youtube but you get the point...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScsQYHMfabU