Chuck Branscomb wrote:
Speaking of driving...I studied extensively the German driving laws, signs, signals, etc, etc before going. I tested myself, studied some more, etc. This worked out great. One example that isn't intuitive: you're driving along on a country road with a 100kph limit; you come up a sign showing 60kph and slow down; you then come up to a sign showing 30kph and slow down and progress through a small village; now you see a sign on the outskirts of the village showing 30kph with a cross through it. What's the speed limit? Answer is 100kph.
So that's the type of thing you need to get used to in addition to strictly following the speed limits and rules of the roads...Germans don't tolerate any crap on their roads -- they'd probably flunk about 85% or more of US drivers. Example: tailgating is strictly forbidden. If you get caught tailgating (not using their specified spacing based on speed) on the Autobahn, it's an automatic 3 month suspension of your driving privilege. Same with passing on the right -- absolutely forbidden. Fortunately, there is no such thing as a left lane bandit over there. The fast lane(s) are ALWAYS vacated after they are used unless you are passing others continuously. In the unlimited sections (pay attention for "that sign"), I found other drivers displaying outstanding (shocking) levels of competence and courtesy I rarely ever see on USA roads. However, you need to be cognizant of your mirrors since even running along at 200-210kph, it was amazing at times to experience the closing rate of a car from behind.
all very good points. a few more:
- german drivers do not run yellow lights.
- there are very often speed cameras as you enter small towns, or where the speed limit decreases. and they are literal - if the sign says 50 kph and you're going 51 expect to see a flash. it took me nearly three weeks to learn this, god only knows how many speeding tickets i accumulated during that time. good thing i was in a rental car under the company's name, i never saw a ticket
- do not eat or drink while you drive. german cars tend not to have cupholders for a reason.
- you can usually get a rental car with a manual transmission if you ask.
- street names change frequently, and the same stretch of road may have two different names depending on which direction you're going. for example, the road between ingersheim and pleidelsheim is called ingersheimerstrasse in one direction and pleidelsheimerstrasse in the other.
- similarly, major arteries don't always use north/south/east/west nomenclature, they are sometimes "richtung" (direction) $NEXT_MAJOR_CITY. autobahn 8 west out of stuttgart heading towards karlsruhe isn't called 8 west, it's 8 richtung karlsruhe. but if you were in augsburg it would be 8 richtung stuttgart.
- german drivers are very good and consistent, and they expect the same of you. use your turn signals, pay attention to the road and other drivers, and always "rechtsfahren" (drive right) on multi-lane roads.
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