[scythezo6]

Originally Posted by Kurt_OH

An American Autobahn would work here just like it works in Germany. The gist of it is that ALL major highways in Germany are "Autobahns" in the sense that almost all the "A" (major highways, like our Interstate) roads have rural sections with unlimited speed. As you approach major metro areas, the speeds ARE restricted, and in fact it seems to me, are MORE restrictive than here.

As for cooperation, I do agree on that point, but I think part of it is the fact that you're allowed to go fast, and trained to get in the slow lane whenever you're not passing. Here, folks think they're performing a civic duty, or at least they rationalize their passive-aggressive driving in that way, by becoming a left lane loafing, rolling roadblock at/near the speed limit.

What you see going fast most on the Autobahn is Mercedes, BMW and Audi, and a significant number of them are the high horsepower "station wagons" that are so popular over there.

The typical scenario is that you're in the left lane, of a divided, four lane (2 per direction) highway, and you see someone in your lane up ahead. Typically, they'll notice you and get over at their first opportunity, which is usually quickly because they can just speed up to get around whomever is next to them. If they don't notice you, you can put your left signal on, or blink your brights. In over 500 miles over 2 days, I never had an incident where slower cars wouldn't get out of the way promptly, and usually without any blinking from me. You still need to take care when rapidly overtaking cars in EITHER lane; you never know when someone in the middle of a line of cars in the slow lane will pop out not seeing you.It's not the crazy, top speed banzai run mecca that some think. Most people are just getting to wherever they're going, on the highway, at a speed they feel is safe/comfortable. Typically in my (limited) experience, the "slow" lane averaged about 85mph with trucks somewhat slower, and the "fast" lane averaged about 120mph. The fastest we went was about 140, and there were only a couple cars going that fast. Didn't see any Ferraris, Lambos, or 911Ts doing 200mph runs or anything, and in fact, it would almost be out of character. I'm sure it happens, and it's fun, but it's just not the norm.

Aren't there still a FEW spots like in Montana or west Texas without speed limits?

One last thing; the German driver's license process isn't the "take a class, take a stupid written and driving test that anyone can pass, and then rubber stamp them a license" process that we use here. It's expensive, time consuming and challenging. The American process is a joke designed to get as many people driving, as cheaply and quickly as possible. There's zero effort to actually train or prepare a person, and zero effort to restrict access to those with an appropriate temperament or mental capacity.

It may take a "tiered" license system here . . . such as you are restricted from the American Autobahn without the AB endorsement on your license.

This may work nicely in EU but that sh** does NOT happen here! Most of us Americans feel too privelaged to move out of the left lane and have the "F*** you go around me attitude." This is what will get people killed in an American Autobahn. The other day I was heading to work on the freeway. Some woman in her SUV was in the left lane of a 2 lane stretch of US54 south. She was going 56-58 MPH in a 60 and she was right beside someone in the right lane going the same speed. Rather than speed up to 60 to gradually pass the guy on the right, and then move her ass out the way to let faster traffic past - she continued for about 5-6 exits going subspeed limit. I was behind the guy directly behind her and he was pissed. He was flashing his lights, tailgating and creeping leftward to shine his lights in her left side mirror. Didn't budge. There's too many people in this country like this so I dont think it would work.