German Autobahn

[adrums1999]

Since there is no speed limit on this kind of road, it would be interesting to compare the amount of accidents on an autobahn and say, the M4 which has a limit of 70mph. I bet the M4 has more accidents. Does anyone know where I can get hold of such information?

[kempie]

The derestricted stretches of Autobahn are becoming more scarce. Most stretches actually already have speed limits - some of them quite low by UK standards. Many urban stretches, or stretches close to junctions etc. are limited to 100km/h (~60mph) or less. Some stretches which pass close to cities are restricted to even lower speeds due to 'L�rmschutz' (noise abatement).

There is a country-wide 'advisory limit' of 130kph (~80mph). If you are involved in an accident on derestricted motorway and you are travelling faster than 130kph, you will automatically legally be held partially responsible.

I would suggest that the more important difference between the UK and Germany is the standard of driving. Anyone driving in Germany will notice that in general drivers pay close attention to speed limits (even without the use of cameras), do not tailgate and have greater lane discipline. Part of the reason may be that the Polizei enforce traffic laws with great vigour!

[JudgeJ]

kempie is spot on with his comments about driving standards.

Also to be considered is the fact that traffic density on almost all of Britain's motorways is considerably higher than on most continental main routes.

[jake-the-peg]

You can't make a simple comparison like that because there are so many complicating factors.

What percentage of the miles driven are on motorways/autobahns etc, the differing stretchs that are lit, prevaling weather conditions, average volume of traffic.

All of these and many more would need to be taken into consideration.

However on a simplistic level Britain does have fewer fatal road accidents than any other country - including Germany so if you want to mess with the system you'd need a pretty good justification for doing so.

It's pretty unlikely that increasing the speed limit would decrease congestion. Ironically it's likely that if everybody drove at exactly 65 we'd all get to our destinations faster

[Toureman]

As Kempie says, the german police enforce traffic rules with great vigour. Also the standard of motorway driving is so much higher.

In the UK there are very few Traffic Police left to enforce Traffic laws, they have all been replaced by revenue collecting speed cameras!!!!!

[Ethel]

In 2003, 9.7 people were killed in every 1 billion kilometres driven on all roads.

In the UK it was 7.6 people killed.

The same year, on motorways only, 3.8 people killed in Germany per 1 bilion kilometres, and in the UK - 2 people.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road-traffic_safe ty

[Ethel]

Sorry - I missed out a word.

In 2003, 9.7 people were killed in every 1 billion kilometres driven on all roads in Germany.