Environmentalists Want to Ruin the Autobahn
It seems some German environmentalists want to pass a 120 km per hour (75 mph) speed limit on the Autobahn. They say that such a speed limit will reduce the global warming contributing greenhouse gases by up to 30%. Germany’s transport minister Wolfgang Tiefensee rejected the proposal, saying “I am committed to a reduction in emissions but a general speed limit on open stretches of road does not make sense.” I couldn’t agree more. The ACE motorists association said “With its demands for a speed limit, the Environment Agency is just attempting to reheat a discussion which came to an end ages ago.” The car lobby argued that that roads free of limits encourage German manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, Volkswagen and Opel to make safer cars, securing jobs.
The Autobahn has always been something of pride and tradition to the Germans, and I don’t think this will ever be passed, but the idea still irritates me. Fact of the matter is, there is no way to please hippies environmentalists. Congested traffic moving at a slow speed is much worse for the environment and gives off more emissions than a few cars moving at 120 mph. How do we fix that? We can either increase speed limits, or build more roads; either of which we will hear complaining. Stop wasting your time on this and focus on building more fuel efficient vehicles.
Filed Under: Car Opinions • Misc
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[...] Here in North America, many of us have grown up dreaming about the mythical Autobahn. A place where Hans & Franz can zoom to work as fast as their weinermobile will go. It seems that the dream of the Autobahn is being threatened by those pesky environmentalists. Egon at Automoblog wishes the hippies would find a new obsession. [...]
I miss the Autobahn … one thing that is not mentioned is that German drivers are generally better educated in how to drive than in other places. I’m now in Australia … where I’m sure that if people were allowed to go as fast as they can would not have the driving skills to cope. The smoothness of German Autobahns is amazing … here the road “swims” … and if you go much over the legal speed limit the car doesn’t track straight. I once drove a new BMW 525 from Heidelberg to Paris … and was amazed when the car came “alive” at speeds above 180 km/h. Only memories now ….
Forget it….
These ecofascists of the green party are not in the federal government and also not in only one state governement….
They are totally in the opposition – and I hope they will stay there the next years…
Hey, I’m doing a school project on why there should be no speed limits on Autobahns. I’m struggling a bit. Could you suggest reasons as to why you feel that there should be no speed limits on Autobahns? Thanks!
Autobahns are one of the safest roads in the world – without general speed limit!
Autobahns, oh I love them so! I love doing 180km/h and seeing some other car pass me by like I’ve stopped. Then I just wish my car could go that fast. Now I live in Canada, where most roads are shit compared to German roads, as well as most drivers are shit compared to the skill of most German drivers.
[...] No more Ferraris…no more Lamborghinis. No more Pagani Zondas, Audi R8s, or Porsche Carrera GTs. Could you imagine such a horrible world? It might be a reality if the European Union gets their way. As if putting a speed limit on the Autobahn wasn’t ridiculous enough, these politicians are saying that selling “boys’ toys” that exceed the 130km/h speed limit is “political and environmental lunacy. People cannot drive at these speeds legally. It is just boys’ toys.” [...]
I’m sure that dispute between environmentalists and drivers will always exist. As for drivers, they won’t be able to leave without autobahns. On the other hand, environmentalists will do their best to protect Nature…
Autobahns are an example of organization and discipline.