We Need An American Autobahn

[htp autoworks]

This is such a bad idea I dont even know where to start. For one the United States is much larger than Germany. Two the economy is so bad we are almost in a Depression. And three the governemtn and environmentalists simply wouldnt allow it. Time to move on and spend your days thinking about something more productive.

[dolt45]

Originally Posted by htp autoworks

This is such a bad idea I dont even know where to start. For one the United States is much larger than Germany. Two the economy is so bad we are almost in a Depression. And three the governemtn and environmentalists simply wouldnt allow it. Time to move on and spend your days thinking about something more productive.

Did you know that we owe the beginning of our current interstate highway system to Roosevelt's "New Deal" policy that helped us OUT of a depression? Its all about the jobs created.

As for the size of America, yes we are bigger but we also have more people. It averages out I'm guessing.

The government will get behind anything that will get them votes. Period.
make it popular enough and it will happen.

Environmentalists could be swayed as soon as we convince them that it is better to have all of your over the top waste and smog production in a confined space. (or something like that)

I think it would be cool, even it if it was only one stretch of road in the middle of nowhere that the throttle jockeys could go do their thing. Who knows, it MIGHT make them less inclined to drive like a maniac everywhere else. (yeah, yeah... pipe dream) but then I go back to my firm opinion that 99% of Americans would F it up immediately. C5 excluded, of course.

[Russo]

with the mindset of most of American's, this will never work.. people here are selfish and cheap... driver's will have to pay more for a license and have better insurance coverage, cars will be subject to a more difficult inspection, and state's will have to work harder to maintain safer road conditions...

it would be possible if we implimented small changes now and in 30 years we might be prepared to travel at higher rates of speed

[DuhKoDuh]

Originally Posted by The_Blur

We need an American autobahn. The freedom of a limitless highway is something that should be part of the fundamental American dream. Driving fast is an American value for so many car enthusiasts, but it is not an option in a nation so obsessed with driving defensively. If people obeyed the laws, then driving defensively would be a little less necssary—no more breaking abruptly for no reason, no more driving 10mph under the speed limit. Since American drivers have none of the discipline that exists on the German autobahn, it will be a long time before we see this here.

i hate to say this, but you are probably 100% correct

[upflying]

Originally Posted by camslambam

Sadly Americans can't handle no speed limits. Case in point Montana... Had no speed limit on its highways. People started coming over to top end their cars and what not and kept killing themselves... Now Montana has a speed limit on highways.

IIRC, state speed limits were required through extortion from Washington DC. Adopt a speed limit or lose your federal highway funding.
Speed limits also came about due to the 1973 Oil Embargo, gas rationing and 55 mph national limit in 1973.

[Erik@Torq]

Originally Posted by AngryAmish

Everyone acts like there are no boneheads in Germany.
I mean, I still don't see it happening either...but that doesn't mean it would be any worse here then in Germany.

Are there less boneheads in Germany than here? Sure, but keep in mind its only about the size of Montana.

We would actually make money on a road like the Autobahn. Think of the Tourism aspect.

Size wise Germany is actually quite large, and has over 80mil people in it. There most certainly are less bonehead drivers in Germany, but not necessarily less boneheads

I actually have a German drivers license, a Swedish drivers license AND an English drivers license. And believe me when I say the training one get during the 2(!) year training period is crazy, and the cost involved in getting a license. The typical license is about $3000 in Sweden alone.

Also, they realize that to have a drivers license is not a right, it's a privilege that they do not want to lose.

To have a high speed limit here would be insanity as the driving skill and lack of respect for the vehicles is zero compared to Europe!

I used to drive through Europe (Sweden to Italy, 1800miles) on a monthly basis with a variety of cars (my GTO, 06 GT, Z06 etc) and every time was a BLAST except when you got stuck in the infamous German "Staus" (traffic jams). Driving at 150mph speeds is never considered "safe", but if I had a choice to do it anywhere in the world it would be Germany due to the quality of roads and drivers.

[Powhusku]

We need mandatory drivers education first.

[=Stephens=]

Originally Posted by Powhusku

We need mandatory drivers education first.

When I was in High School, 20 years ago drivers ed wasn't mandatory and there was a waiting list a mile long to get into the class. As we all know the learning and experience comes from actually driving and not reading a book.

Even if people take the class, it doesn't mean they will learn anything from it:(

[HDDAN]

Originally Posted by jeffny09

i dont see it ever happen

You forgot reason 11. Some people are too cheap to pay the grand for the A6. Besides, real men ride motorcycles.

[toehead93]

Originally Posted by harrycamaro

Americans drive quite good?? come back for a visit and say that again...I hate the majority of drivers here. they are clueless, and getting a license here is so easy....they have a do it at home, let ur parents teach you kit that relies on the parent taking responsibility. Its a joke. I could have gotten my license without ever getting behind the wheel of the car (my dad is a sheriff and wouldn't let that happen of course) but its possible. And I'm sure its been done. Just turn in a time sheet, have a parent sign it saying they're not lying (LMFAO) and you have a license. Not to mention illegals driving here. anyone can get a vehicle. any one can start it, anyone can drive it. There is nothing stopping any inexperienced driver from getting on the road and killing someone. (even though my cousin did drive from LA to TX when he was 14) but thats what I mean. Including drunks and stoners and anyone who doesn't know what a stop sign is. Not to mention talking on the phone and now texting. it should all be illegal. people here are too careless and dont give a damn about anyone but themselves and what they need to do. And all the Teenagers have the im invincible attitude...I hate teenage drivers with a passion (although i am 18) but it is true.

Not to mention the autobahn here wouldn't help with our $14trillion(or whatever unrealistic number the idiots in DC have made.) in debt.

Give it another 1000 years when all the idiots weave themselves out of the system(Darwin's Theory ) then maybe it'll happen...

All so true,don't forget about half of the elderly people driving out there with motor skills and vision worse than most drunk drivers. Worse part is they drive every day like this, at least the drunks are home in 10 minutes and sober for the drive to work.

It takes A LOT MORE to get a license in Germany then it does here. Drivers pay A LOT of money for driving school, pay A LOT of money to get actual license, pay A LOT when they screw up. It is a privelage to have a license there, here in the US it is a right that any idiot can get for $30. Over there ediquite is taught and enforced, you'll never see that here anytime soon. It will take a dramatic shift that I don't think I'll ever live to see.

[Intimidator333]

I wish. Anyone can go run at the local drag strip but that's only a 1/4 mile. Not anyone can just go run their car 170mph at Talladega. I paid alot of money for this car and I want to be able to drive it FAST! See what it can do over a large stretch of road. But I agree only certain vehicles and drivers who take a class should be able to drive on it. I think it would get rid of alot of illegal street racing and high speed accidents on normal public roads.

[bmorecam]

America is the definition of all bad examples. Too much freedom gotten us too much privately owned prisons. No speed limit in USA would mean disaster. I hate to talk like this about my own country but it's the truth. Sad,sad,sad....

[Powhusku]

Originally Posted by =Stephens=

When I was in High School, 20 years ago drivers ed wasn't mandatory and there was a waiting list a mile long to get into the class. As we all know the learning and experience comes from actually driving and not reading a book.

Even if people take the class, it doesn't mean they will learn anything from it:(

When I took the class there was very little reading. In fact, most of the time, I was driving with my instructor. I also was required to log 20 hours of driving with my parents before the class finished. That is hands-on experience. I can say I greatly benefited from the class, which is probably one of the major contributors to my record of never being pulled over or ever having been in accident of any sort. I say it works.

[Blade]

Originally Posted by Erik@Torq

Size wise Germany is actually quite large, and has over 80mil people in it. There most certainly are less bonehead drivers in Germany, but not necessarily less boneheads

I actually have a German drivers license, a Swedish drivers license AND an English drivers license. And believe me when I say the training one get during the 2(!) year training period is crazy, and the cost involved in getting a license. The typical license is about $3000 in Sweden alone.

Also, they realize that to have a drivers license is not a right, it's a privilege that they do not want to lose.

To have a high speed limit here would be insanity as the driving skill and lack of respect for the vehicles is zero compared to Europe!

I used to drive through Europe (Sweden to Italy, 1800miles) on a monthly basis with a variety of cars (my GTO, 06 GT, Z06 etc) and every time was a BLAST except when you got stuck in the infamous German "Staus" (traffic jams). Driving at 150mph speeds is never considered "safe", but if I had a choice to do it anywhere in the world it would be Germany due to the quality of roads and drivers.

And that's the key.....only the US Laws think it's a priviledge, whereas the idiots on the US highways think its their right to drive AND drive slow in the left lane.

Well said.