clinehall wrote:
Yeah, speeding that fast, even on the Autobahn, is just crazy. It endangers others lives. I am a libertian but it you threaten my safety you cross the line of personal rights.
What about the typical American Interstate with 5000lb plus SUVs piloted by brain dead drivers tailgating at 75mph while they eat and text? Dare one leave proper room in traffic lest it be immediately plugged by 3 more idiots driving said vehicles.
Having spent two weeks in Germany recently, it is really sad what we call highways here in the US. In Germany, if you're caught tailgating less than 30% of the mandatory gap, you lose your license for 1 to 3 months. On our "highways" that gap probably represents 3 or 4 or more SUVs at 75mph. It was so nice to drive someplace where everyone not only knows the rules of the road but follows them. Driving with the typical German public was like being at a track event here.
Also, on the Autobahn if you are exceeding 130kph, and there is a wreck, you may share in the liability even if you didn't cause the problem. Courts apparently decide on such issues based on all conditions at the time, etc.
In the unlimited sections, we generally ran 160-180kph,or so, which was a very comfortable cruising speed. 160kph was a typical middle lane speed when 3 lanes were present. Rarely did we get passed by someone going hugely faster than that. Seeing a Polizei car up ahead running maybe 140kph creates that "oh crap" feeling in you until you remember you're in Germany, so you just go blasting right on past it (while using proper signals to move to the right lane after the pass, etc, of course).
The fact that Germany actually strictly enforces tailgating laws and lane use laws is simply something an enthusiast from the US has to go experience at least once in life. 
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