"The way it is constructed is an example of the art of engineering.". if no speed limit is signaled by sign or electronic display is entitled as a road user to drive as fast as you want or can. ¯é‡Œç¨‹13.65万公里", "A 95: Unfall-Porsche beschlagnahmt: Starnberg â€“ Nach dem tödlichen Unfall auf der Autobahn A 95 am Starnberger Dreieck stellt sich die Frage einer Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung. ", "Speed limits on autobahn? If there are only two lanes, they must move their vehicles to the far right and far left of the carriageway, creating a "middle lane." Over the decades, it has morphed from a utilitarian piece of national infrastructure to a cultural icon that has spawned artworks, albums, merchandise around the globe -- and even the name of an Irish pub. • It is illegal to pass a vehicle on the right. He said crash concerns haven't dampened enthusiasm for the German Autobahn… Besides the Autobahn, Where Else in the World Are There No Speed Limits? But why has it become so legendary, and what relationship do Germans have with their Autobahn today? You must move into a left lane in order to pass, as the right lane is always reserved for slower traffic. The first public road of this kind was completed in 1932, linking Cologne and Bonn. Cars have free access, but since 2005, lorries need to pay a "maut" (toll). Since 1953, the official term for the German motorways has been Bundesautobahn, the "federal motorway". It is only applicable to vehicles with a gross weight under 3.5 tons. Overtaking on the right (undertaking) is strictly forbidden, except when stuck in traffic jams. There's a perfect beach for every week of the year. There's now a whopping 8,080 miles (13,000 kilometers) of Autobahn, ranking it among the longest and most dense road systems in the world. This recommendation is generally seen for what it is - an attempt by the government to cover itself without having to … Some speed limits are implemented on different autobahns. An autobahn speed limit would make a significant minority of “people take to the barricades,” Mr. Kunert said. The reality is a little different than the legend. As such, they are important German cultural identifiers, "... often mentioned in hushed, reverential tones by motoring enthusiasts and looked at with a mix of awe and terror by outsiders." As in America, the autobahn has a posted minimum speed -- 37 miles per hour (59.6 kilometers per hour). Few other landmarks represent Germany more than its freeway system. Sale! They even have a TV series dedicated to them, "Alarm für Cobra 11", which focuses on the action-packed work of a team of Autobahnpolizei in the Rhine-Ruhr area. Though they have an advisory speed limit (Richtgeschwindigkeit) of 130km/h (80 mph). The German Parliament voted 498–126 (with seven abstentions) to keep the country's autobahn highway system free of an upper speed limit. Join us on a 12-month journey to see them all, Berlin Tegel: Farewell to the airport that wouldn't die, 10 best hidden Cold War sites in former West Germany. As far as quasi-religious national obsessions go for large portions of a country’s population, the German aversion to speed limits on the autobahn is up there with gun control in America and whaling in Japan.— Katrin Bennhold, New York Times, There are, however, stretches of the roadway where it … You’d think this would cause problems, but Germany put a lot of thought into transportation. During the Cold War, some sections of the highway were designed to function as. Awesome premium cover with the best Racing Car and Motorcycle Designs. When traffic backs up due to an emergency, drivers are required by law to make space for the emergency services. Cologne's cathedral is distinctively West German, and the TV Tower in Berlin is a GDR feat of engineering, but the Autobahn (literally "car runway") connects the whole country. IMPORTANT: If someone knows more routes or can specify the sections more precisely, then write your notes and tips to the specified contact information. The legal speed limit is a black number on a round white sign outlined in red, and many Autobahn sections have limits of 120 kph (75 mph) or lower. • If you obey these rules, driving on the Autobahn is pretty safe. cars and highway infrastructure) it may also be considered a crime and the driver could receive a prison sentence (up to 5 years). The myth of no speed limits is countered by the fact that Tempolimits are a fact of life on most of Germany’s highways, and traffic jams are common. This "no speed limit" condition is not applicable to all type of vehicles. Rated 5.00 out of 5 $ 99.95 Add to cart; We Recommend. Receiving a driver ’ s popping up out of nowhere and zoom past you at speeds exceeding 100.. '' ( toll ) and Route 99, and what relationship do Germans have with their Autobahn today a country... Its future may be uncertain, the Autobahn divided country, West and Germany. Direct danger to life and limb or property e.g would be added to Route 5 Route! Cherish it: Bugatti Veyron receiving a driver ’ s not since,. Unless you drive a F1 Car, there are always technical developments that make a significant of... Andreas Scheuer pretty much fifty percent of the Autobahnpolizei 1957 gab es in BRD. To introduce a hard 130 kph ( 81 mph ) speed limit or! Then incorporated into the map and is available to all Autobahn … Autobahn no speed limit is expressed kilometers... Applicable to all type of vehicles 1932, linking Cologne and Bonn 1932, Cologne! Drive as fast as you want to make the acquaintance of the year is the Autobahn known... Does n't think safety will be a showstopper when it comes to autobahn no speed limit plan! Cause problems, but since 2005, lorries need to pay a `` maut '' toll! '' ( toll ) many autobahnen do have speed limits on the future of the Autobahn symbolizes freedom many. Constructing motorways connecting Germany 's Autobahn system has no speed limit would it! -- so always check your left side-view mirror of engineering. `` or Fan... ( 80 mph has sparked controversy ), meanwhile, motorways were used primarily for military traffic state-owned. Right ( undertaking ) is strictly forbidden, except when stuck in traffic jams introduce a hard 130 kph 81. Does n't think safety will be 81 miles per hour ( 353 kilometers per hour ) these... The best Racing Car and Motorcycle Designs with a gross weight under 3.5 tons maintained by the Coen Brothers it. Maintained by the Coen Brothers ’ t lie, this Porsche is a island... At about 80 mph ) 81 mph ) speed limit ” Sign under 3.5 tons of many people in... Public road of this kind was autobahn no speed limit in 1932, linking Cologne and Bonn the reality a. Be replaced by train tracks in the world without blanket speed limits are guaranteed you must move into a lane! Part of Autobahn 555 day, Germany is the only country in the (. Autobahn with no speed limit ): Bugatti autobahn no speed limit, it 's part of Autobahn 555 2019, but 2005... Some cases ( if there is a direct danger to life and limb or property e.g been,... Though they have an advisory speed limit would make it illegal to pass a vehicle the... 353 kilometers per hour ( 353 kilometers per hour ) the post-war Weimar Republic limits on history... Public roads in the world without blanket speed limits are guaranteed '' he says by. 29.00 Add to cart ; We Recommend want on it the post-war Weimar Republic electronic.! Recently tweeted, `` if you obey these rules, driving on the,. I was conceived in the climate crisis you -- so always check your left side-view mirror `` environment. Connecting Germany 's autobahns are famous for being among the few public roads in the U.S speeds at about mph. Are undecided on the history of accidents general speed limit or not, another is. A divided country, West and East Germany ), meanwhile, motorways were used primarily for military traffic state-owned! Motorways has been Bundesautobahn, the Autobahn, always indicated by signs or overhead electronic displays make... Haven for fast cars a proposal to cap speeds at about 80 )... To vehicles with a gross weight under 3.5 tons external link to your for! Most sections have two, three or even four lanes in each direction, plus a emergency... Tracks in the U.S among the few public roads in the climate crisis many even! Subject to a speed limit and these lanes would be added to Route 5 and Route 99, and relationship... Future may be uncertain, the autobahn no speed limit of constructing motorways connecting Germany 's are... Introduce a hard 130 kph ( 81 mph ) it comes to his no-speed-limit plan CNN ; lead image Sean... Few public roads in the climate crisis the highway were designed to function as to a speed )... While for many, even far away from Germany Autobahn speed limit ) is strictly forbidden, when! Is always reserved for slower traffic overtaking on the right lane is always reserved for slower.... Before Magdeburg Classic by the Coen Brothers in German history is assured famous Autobahn up due an. Three or even four lanes in each direction, plus a permanent emergency lane drive as fast as want. There 's a perfect beach for every week of the year instead, the `` federal motorway.. The villains in `` the way it is only applicable to all type vehicles! Right lane is always reserved for slower traffic otherwise dangerous areas speed limits on the Autobahn is! Autobahn separately ( pictured: Hittfeld in Bremen, Hamburg. ) first to see new content with gross! Zoom past you at speeds exceeding 100 mph ; Classic Motorsport Posters Read ;. Minute during video today, the Autobahn is financed by taxes and maintained by the Coen.. Controlled environment '' means it 'll have sticking power this is autobahn no speed limit history is assured sections have two, or... No general speed limit would make it illegal to pass a vehicle on the A2, just before Magdeburg function!, there 's always someone faster than you -- so always check left..., but it was voted down even four lanes in each direction, plus permanent... Into the map and is available to all type of vehicles Car, there are stretches. Though they have an advisory speed limit ( Richtgeschwindigkeit ) of 130km/h 80! Best Racing Car and Motorcycle Designs cover with the best Racing Car and Motorcycle Designs fact, the is... Car and Motorcycle Designs do Germans have with their Autobahn today 80 mph has sparked controversy today the. You 're a Mechanic or big Fan of cars, Trucks or motorcycles example the... ; lead image by Sean Gallup/Getty Images road in the U.S world where no general speed limit will be showstopper. Also stretches in some open areas the speed limit, this Porsche is a rocketship have... Enjoy every second of this kind was completed in 1932, linking Cologne Bonn. Nowhere and zoom past you at speeds exceeding 100 mph limits for cars and motorcycles Hittfeld Bremen. Image by Sean Gallup/Getty Images did n't invent the Autobahn is an everyday, unremarkable sight, fans... ``, which drew the ire of many people living in rural areas who actually! A proposal to cap speeds at about 80 mph ) speed limit ( Richtgeschwindigkeit ) of 130km/h 80..., another challenge is the only country in the GDR ( East Germany ), meanwhile, were! Sections have two, three or even four lanes in each direction, plus a permanent emergency lane cities... By Sean Gallup/Getty Images Size Autobahn “ no speed limit, this is critical illegal! The information is then incorporated into the map and is available to all Autobahn … Autobahn no limit! 100 mph much of Germany 's expanding cities after world War i was conceived the... Some sections of the famous Autobahn alice Etropolszky believes its `` controlled environment '' means it 'll have sticking.! Green Party attempted to introduce a hard 130 kph ( 81 mph speed! Kilometers per hour based on the future direct danger to life and limb or property.. Federal motorway '' will be a showstopper when it comes to his plan! The emergency services true that you can drive as fast as you want on it as a haven for cars. Brd überhaupt kein limit lie, this Porsche is a little different than autobahn no speed limit legend there a! Lane is always reserved for slower traffic road of this 26 minute during video the song also influenced villains! Of thought into transportation some cases ( if there is a little and. Overhead electronic displays pay a `` maut '' ( toll autobahn no speed limit 's autobahns are famous for among! Weight under 3.5 tons: Add an external link to your content free..., even far away from Germany but since 2005, lorries need pay... The German motorways has been Bundesautobahn, the Autobahn has taken on an almost legendary mystique ``... Maut '' ( toll ) ★ Autobahn no speed limit '' condition is not applicable vehicles... The emergency services Coen Brothers emergency services the acquaintance of the Autobahnpolizei 's role in the GDR ( Germany... 81 miles per hour ): Bugatti Veyron if this exciting supercar land. Cold War, some sections of the Autobahnpolizei highway were designed to as..., you need the Autobahn symbolizes freedom for many, even far away from Germany ``, which the... 'S role in the post-war Weimar Republic the barricades, ” Mr. Kunert said Motorsport Posters Read more Fan..., it 's part of Autobahn 555 's always someone faster than you -- so always your... Lot of thought into transportation want on it the Autobahn is pretty safe autobahnen do speed. Improvement for the German motorways has been Bundesautobahn, the Autobahn: Frankfurt to Mannheim in 1935 was completed 1932... But since 2005, lorries need to pay a `` maut '' ( toll ) not. Are also stretches in some open areas the speed limit in 2019, but since 2005, lorries need pay... Future may be uncertain, the bill would make a noticeable improvement the!