We Need An American Autobahn

[PeeBee]

Originally Posted by Croatcamaro2010

america needs an autobahn like it needs another political party, no way, too many morons on the road already, and cars will have to be redesigned to crash at higher speeds, german cars that go on their autobahn are designed to crash at insane speeds and protect the drivers, theres no way that would work here, the fed would have to raise standards and cars would just cost too much

You can't beat the laws of physics... Above certain speeds the cars will no longer protect the occupants.

True, we do have the "Euro NCAP" safety standards, but seeing all the crash tests from the US model, I think it shouldn't have troubles at all to get the 5-star rating (highest protection possible).

That being said, crash any car at 100mph or more.... and you'll be VERY LUCKY if you walk away.

[Jeffm]

we need an autobahn like we need a hole in our head. We have enough idiot drivers out there killing folks because they are too stupid to control their cars at a a regular speed not even thinking at higher rates.

[BamaBlitz_SS]

Five reasons an Autobahn wouldn't work in the U.S.

1) Nobody seems to want to get out of the FAST lane which would be the lane
furthest to the left.

2) People do not even understand what to do in an acceleration lane even though
the name itself should have given everyone a clue!

3) Cell Phones, reading material etc... There is no road discipline in the US, everyone
tries to multi task while driving, bad, bad idea

4) The age limit for driving is way too low. 16 is hardly old enough to understand the
Importance of road discipline and how dangerous driving can be.

5) The driving test is a joke compared to that of Germany. Taking a short ride through town with parallel parking being the toughest task is hardly enough to examine whether you are ready for the fast lane.

[bigted83]

just go down around d.c or virginia and thats close enough to the autobahn. yeah sure im for it, but their is to many reckless or idiot drivers here for it to run smooth

[Broffermoon]

Originally Posted by Izach26

Until 1999 Montana was the closest thing

In the years before 1974's national 55 mph limit, and for three years after the 1995 repeal of the increased 65 mph limit, Montana had a non-numeric "reasonable and prudent" speed limit during the daytime on most rural roads. Montana Code Annotated (MCA) Section 61-8-303 said "A person . . . shall drive the vehicle . . . at a rate of speed no greater than is reasonable and proper under the conditions existing at the point of operation . . . so as not to unduly or unreasonably endanger the life, limb, property, or other rights of a person entitled to the use of the street or highway."

Typical speed limit sign that one would see at the Montana state line from December 1995 to June 1999.



Montana law also specified a few numeric limits: a night speed limit, usually 55 or 65 mph (89–105 km/h), depending on road type; 25 mph (40 km/h) in urban districts and 35 mph (56 km/h) in construction zones.
The phrase "reasonable and prudent" is found in the language of most state speed laws. This allows prosecution under non-ideal conditions such as rain or snow when the speed limit would be imprudently fast.
[edit] No speed limit

On March 10, 1996, a Montana patrolman issued a speeding ticket to a driver traveling at 85 mph (136 km/h) on a stretch of State Highway 200. The 50 year-old driver (Rudy Stanko) was operating a 1996 Camaro with less than 10,000 miles (16,093 km) on the odometer. Although the officer gave no opinion as to what would have been a reasonable speed, the driver was convicted. The driver appealed to the Montana Supreme Court. The Court reversed the conviction in case No. 97-486 on December 23, 1998; it held that a law requiring drivers to drive at a non-numerical "reasonable and proper" speed "is so vague that it violates the Due Process Clause ... of the Montana Constitution".
Effective May 28, 1999, as a result of that decision, the Montana Legislature established a speed limit of 75 mph.[110

Thanks, I was only aware of the law enforcement side. But it was fun for a while.......Yee Ha!

[camarowa]

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.

Could not have said it any better. I have a Dutch, German and obviously US license. Made the drive between Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Zurich probably twice a month for 3 years. German drivers are some of the best of the world indeed.

[jtzako]

People here dont know how to drive properly, in part, because they are never trained. So-called Drivers Ed is a joke. The fact that you can get, and keep, your license without putting any real effort is a major problem.

We need real training that doesnt just teach you how to drive slow. It needs to train the proper rules of the road and how to handle more advanced issues.

[CWI]

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:(

Part of the training in Germany IS on the road with trainers and then examiners.
It works there because unlike here, the asses that linger in the left lane blocking faster traffic causing congestion and even crashes (I say crash rather than accident because most crashes are caused by stupidity or ignorance, most are not really accidents. Same as incidents causing injury at work.) will be cited by police for impeding traffic. They realize that the slow cars cause more aggravation and crashes than the fast cars.
I believe it is also easier to lose your license for stupity than it is here.
here, police seem to prefer drivers as rolling road blocks over the guy who drives the limit or a bit more.
If the impeding traffic laws were enforced in this country, traffic would move more freely and higher speed limits would be safely possible.

Here in Texas, their are signs every few miles saying "LEFT LANE FOR PASSING ONLY". Guess what, it doesnt help. Last week I was driving through west Texas on I-10 where the limit is 80 MPH. I set my cruise to 83, it seemed like every 5 or 10 miles I had to change my speed to get around conjestion of just 2 or 3 vehicles. Usually someone in the left lane going well below the limit slowly passing a truck. Trucks or trailers being towed have a slower speed limit which creates more safety issues.

Education and penalties are the only way it would work. even then no one would approve such an expensive endeavor. Our governments can't even manage our tax money to fix the broken bridges and highways we have now. Forget about open speed limits. It would require dedicated lanes that are already overcrowded, even in remote areas. It's also too easy for govenment and lobbyists to just say drive slow, conserve energy.

[fielderLS3]

Originally Posted by Jeffm

we need an autobahn like we need a hole in our head. We have enough idiot drivers out there killing folks because they are too stupid to control their cars at a a regular speed not even thinking at higher rates.

What about the accidents caused by too low speed limits putting drivers to sleep or into a hypnotic state.

Originally Posted by BamaBlitz_SS

3) Cell Phones, reading material etc... There is no road discipline in the US, everyone
tries to multi task while driving, bad, bad idea

Higher speed limits could be a solution to a lot of that. Those are exactly the types of activities that driving slower than the road and conditions encourages, because at slow speeds, people feel they can get away with it.

Not paying attention, focusing on other stuff, texting, reading, falling asleep, etc.....these are all things people do when they get bored behind the wheel. And people get bored when they are forced to drive slower than what could be appropriate for conditions.

And speed limits on today's open stretches of interstate are in fact ridiculously low. Laws meant to govern old technology are still being applied to new technology. 40+ years ago, people seemed fine doing 70 mph with archaic suspensions, sloppy steering, non-existent aerodynamics, lousy tires, and insufficient brakes. Today's cars can easily handle higher speeds than our parent's and grandparent's, and today's speed limits should be adjusted to reflect that.

And don't forget the benefit we will reap in having better cars. In general, German cars tend to offer better driving dynamics than others. That is not just a coincidence. When you know your customers will be driving over 100 mph, you build the car right. On the other hand, when the national speed limit is 55, manufacturers can more easily say "good enough" and fill their showrooms with Pintos, Chevettes, and iron duke Camaros.

[Ivas]

Even better than an autobahn is a drag strip. THAT we got, the krauts don't.

[mcdoogle6969]

Would be awesome to have a American Autobahn...And to the people saying that there are just too many idiot drivers, I'm sure there are just as many idiot drivers in Europe..

[mcdoogle6969]

Originally Posted by fielderLS3

What about the accidents caused by too low speed limits putting drivers to sleep or into a hypnotic state.



Higher speed limits could be a solution to a lot of that. Those are exactly the types of activities that driving slower than the road and conditions encourages, because at slow speeds, people feel they can get away with it.

Not paying attention, focusing on other stuff, texting, reading, falling asleep, etc.....these are all things people do when they get bored behind the wheel. And people get bored when they are forced to drive slower than what could be appropriate for conditions.

And speed limits on today's open stretches of interstate are in fact ridiculously low. Laws meant to govern old technology are still being applied to new technology. 40+ years ago, people seemed fine doing 70 mph with archaic suspensions, sloppy steering, non-existent aerodynamics, lousy tires, and insufficient brakes. Today's cars can easily handle higher speeds than our parent's and grandparent's, and today's speed limits should be adjusted to reflect that.

And don't forget the benefit we will reap in having better cars. In general, German cars tend to offer better driving dynamics than others. That is not just a coincidence. When you know your customers will be driving over 100 mph, you build the car right. On the other hand, when the national speed limit is 55, manufacturers can more easily say "good enough" and fill their showrooms with Pintos, Chevettes, and iron duke Camaros.

Couldn't have said it any better.

[The IOM Ninja]

Originally Posted by Ivas

Even better than an autobahn is a drag strip. THAT we got, the krauts don't.

German cars have long since evolved, allowing them to take high speed corners with ease, something most American cars still do not have the capability of doing.

[BlkBty]

Originally Posted by Ivas

Even better than an autobahn is a drag strip. THAT we got, the krauts don't.

You have never heard of "German Race Wars"?
I used to own a 2005 SRT-4 fully decked with everything pushing 485HP and they would take these old Soviet runways and drag race down them..
Very big event with cars from all over Europe coming to play..
They kicked us Americans off though.. We kept beating all the Euro cars lol