driving in germany

[HARROGATEGUY]

what is it like driving in germany

[Loosehead]

Terrible when I was last there I was the only one on the correct side of the road!

[HARROGATEGUY]

i think im going 2 be the same.not going untill june.any way thanks.

[bluejonjo]

Exceptionally precise and not a hint of irony.

[KebabMeister]

Biggest difference is driving at night, there are no cats eyes here and you really do notice the difference; not as good as UK roads in that sense.

It also depends on where you're driving in Germany. Where I am in the Munich area all motorists are very polite and give way to pedestrians & cyclists crossing small/minor roads (town/villages). As a pedestrian you expect all cars to stop. There are also some 'red path' cycle lanes that go over some junctions and the cycle would have right of way. It would be worth checking out the German highway code as there are some signs you'll have to familerise yourself with, especially those that have right of way onto/joining a main road.

[Gnu]

Great. Autobahns usually have speed limits, with only a few stretches having no limit at all. Tend to be two lanes on each carriageway and have the same sort of jams as ours on the major routes.

The equivalent to A roads are really well surfaced and, away from cities, you can make good, relaxed speed on these.

[Toureman]

A lot better than driving in the UK! the driving standards of all road users is much better, they do not have as many morons as we do.

You will enjoy it!

[SurreyGuy]

I drove my own RHD car round Austria, Germany and Switzerland during the summer of 1998 and LOVED it! I found it less stressful than on UK roads (agree with Toureman!) and thei lane discipline was impecable!

Just make sure that your AA/RAC membership covers you over there. I blew my head gasket and it was well worth the �50-odd I paid for my 3 weeks European membership (but that may well be different nowadays).

Have fun!

[Carls358]

Few things I can say about it,

Watch for when it rains over there, on nearly all roads, they make them flat and not like ours curved (so the water drains off) so you are more prone to aquaplaning.

Watch the cyclists!!! They have right of way (priority) in the cities and towns and are perfectly legal to ride straight in front of you!!!

Keep your eye out on priorities!!!! (The yellow diamond sign) on some autobahns the cars coming onto it HAVE PRIORITY so they can appear from nowhere.

The speed limit on the autobahns, some have a number on a blue sign (white lettering) this is a recommended speed limit, you can go above that speed but if you have an accident and they can prove you have been going over that speed, you can be done!

Oh and if you drive through belgium to get to germany and you are caught doing twice the speed limit, the next time you see your car it will be the size of a baked bean can, they will crush it!!!

[Ausf-A]

Be careful of overtaking buses, tractors and lorries. These can all be right of way situations, and heavily punished by on the spot fines from police. Other things to look out for are the traffic light sequences, with strange right turn filters and pedestrian amber lights. Don't even think of drinking and driving, as spot checks are common, especially her ein Hamburg.

You will find less road rage and safer motorway driving, but:

Germans do not stop when they have right of way.

They don't worry about opening their doors into oncoming traffic.

Parking is nearly as bad as in Paris, with cars strewn across pavements.

Giving way on narrow streets is not like the english method, and don't expect thanks from the oncoming driver.

Pedestrians will walk even when the red man is showing, although most of the time they obey the crossing rules rigidly.

Finally, if you choose to walk anywhere watch out for the cycle lanes on the pavement, and enjoy being a pedestrian. Whenever you get the chance, annoy drivers, since it's the national pastime.

[Ausf-A]

Oh, and the roads seem to get darker when it rains, as the markings don't seem to be reflective.