Fast lane to sane lane

Local curb breaches German principle of limitless autobahn speed

Fast cars are big business in Germany, but there are signs that the brakes are going on. In April the small northern state of Bremen became the first part of the country to impose an overall autobahn speed limit – aimed specifically at curbing emissions.

In truth, the importance of this is more symbolic than practical. Drivers can still do 120km per hour (about 75mph) quite legally, which would take them round all of Bremen’s limited stretches of autobahn in not much over half an hour. Nevertheless, the state government’s action is still a significant step.

At federal level, the coalition government’s dominant Christian Democrats oppose calls for a nationwide autobahn speed limit. But with fuel cost increases making headlines across the continent, even a little restraint could help motorists save on petrol bills. According to the UK’s Department for Transport, driving at 80mph can use up to 25% more fuel than driving at 70.
– Tom Bamford

24 June 2008

Tom Bamford