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Saw this show on history channel about the German Autobahn.
According to statistics the autobahn has .74 deaths per 100,000,000 vehicle miles driven. Whereas, the US has .84 deaths per 100,000,000 vehicle miles driven. Kinda puts that theory to rest I'd say.

It is worth noting that in Germany the stay right to pass rule is strictly enforced. Which must contribute to the safety. If we could only get that enforcement in the US. Also, the German police give out tickets for driving TOO SLOW. Can't say I've ever heard of that in the US.

One cool thing about the show was they had this guy testing a porche. Some company named RUF modifies porches & ferraris too I think. Before they give them back to the customer they need to find the top speed of the car.
This one porche topped out at 212MPH. Tested on the autobahn at nite no less.

That would be a sweet road to drive on. I wonder if you can go to Germany and rent a hi powered car to bring out on the autobahn ? Or even a bike for that matter.

RUF is strictly Porsche.

The Autobahn is overrated. Ask CentralOzzy about the beauty of riding in Australia's Northern Territory with its almost complete lack of speed limits. Not just straight line freeways either but real roads.

Yes, the autobahn sucks in the sense that there are way too many rules. For example, you must also maintain "safe distance" maybe 2 car lengths or so, at any speed. Even in a traffic jam - So traffic jams are three times as long as they should be because everything moves in an accordion effect.

Italy's roads are nice, and speed limits are rarely enforced but dangerous if you're not a really attentive rider.

Also, you can rent a car in Germany and drive on the Autobahn. Though I think both Germany and Austria tax you when you enter the country if you want to do it.

I seen a show on the autobahn a few months ago. They were saying that tends to be safer than U.S. expressways because it is more straight and the turns are at a much gentler angle.

Not that I disagree, but I would think Autobahn drivers are a lot more attentive and higher skilled than say an average U.S. interstate drivers. I think lack of focus contributes to accidents more than speed. It's hard to guage ignorance or lack of attention. Determining speed is very easy, so it's an easy target during an investigation. It's much more tangible.

Bachstrad37 wrote:Not that I disagree, but I would think Autobahn drivers are a lot more attentive and higher skilled than say an average U.S. interstate drivers. I think lack of focus contributes to accidents more than speed. It's hard to guage ignorance or lack of attention.

Bingo. I don't think speed has anything to do with it. The drivers are simply more skilled and attentive...and they follow the rules of the road! Tech, you may not like all the rules they have, but at least people follow them.

Just repeating what others are saying. Autobahn is safe because it is straight, fewer mergings, etc. Where do those figures come from? The autobahn, one straight freeway, compared to all the US? With intersections and folks on the cellphone? Very different conditions.

Would be interested in seeing how it compares to, say, one long section of an interstate.

There are always rules, even in an anarchy - unwritten though they may be.

What burns me is the level of legislation. They don't want people driving cars, they want robots. If they could design a cost effective system where people didn't have to drive at all - the car just took them to where they wanted to go - how many people would stop driving manually? The mass majority, I would bet, and the governments would be in there promoting it.

The Germans get credit for having an organized system, but what the heck is the point of driving 150mph if you're not enjoying yourself. "Functioning as you are supposed to operate" is more like it. Go as fast as you want just follow our 6,000 page rule book. Ugh. All you're doing is burning more gas. Also, the traffic jams I was speaking of are VERY frequent. It's not like you can just go out there and fly around whenever you feel like it.

We don't need more driver education and rules like this - I believe the system of enforcement would just become too oppressive. We just need more people to Ride Motorcycles!!!!! They'd become better drivers by default

Before riding a motorcycle, I thought I was a pretty good car driver. After only a few months of motorcycling, I've become so much more aware while driving a car. Without a doubt, focus and a little bit of fear goes a long way.

PS - The statistic originally posted misses another important point. Germany may have a lower accident rate than the USA, but it's still the highest in continental Europe.

I forgot one more aspect of the Autobahn that people often overlook -

TUV standards. old, dented cars are NOT allowed. Suspensions are tested. Tires are tested, exhausts and fuel systems are tested. Everything is tested. You car must be inspected every 2 years - and judging by some of the bikes I see on this site, your cars (like mine!) ain't gonna make it either!!

Car drips oil? Failure
Hole in Exhaust - Failure
Tread a little low on tires? Failure.
Rust spot near the wheel well or Jack point? ...

You get the Idea.