They say no one pays attention to the 80 mph Montana limit, especially the cops.
I've done a lot of cross-country driving. IMO, no one pays attention to any speed limit on any Interstate or highway. Many don't pay attention to any speed limit on any road - even in school zones.
I also remember back in the day flying along at 90MPH and who would come up behind me? A Greyhound bus!
Sorry, but no. There's a disaster not even waiting to happen. Ask anyone who lives very near most interstates that are not "in the middle of nowhere."
Sorry, but yes. I agree with jcgriff2. Your anecdotal experiences are just that, anecdotal. They are exceptions and exceptions don't make the rule. You cannot seriously believe those racer's attitudes would be different if no speed limit, do you? Or if a more restrictive limit? In fact, if they dropped the speed limit to 70mph, for example, those speeders may be distracted by constantly looking behind them for "Smokey" instead of watching the road ahead
No posted speed limits does not,
in any way, mean drivers are allowed to drive carelessly or recklessly. Nor does it mean they cannot be ticketed for careless or reckless driving, or for speeding. If the current "conditions" do not warrant or support higher speeds, then they must slow down or face significant fines.
As noted above, the German autobahn allows unlimited speeds. But that is "IF" conditions permit. In many areas, there are indeed, posted limits. And the fines are very hefty if violated. I note even a Bugatti cannot outrun RF or the Autobahnpolizei in the sky. Not to mention the Autobahnpolizei have some of the fastest police cars on the planet AND proper, continual, high-speed training.
Also, they have some of the most strict vehicle safety regulations AND inspections in Germany too. You don't typically get off with a "warning" if your taillight is out. Your wallet is going to take a lesson-learning hit.
So
of course, they cannot just pull down the speed limit signs and park their police cruisers.
Other laws (that are already on the books) must be aggressively enforced. For example, in almost every jurisdiction, there are already existing laws that state, "
Slower traffic must move to the right." Also, there are laws prohibiting blocking or impeding the flow of traffic. That means if you are going to putz along - compared to other traffic and regardless the speed limit - GET OUT OF THE WAY!!! That is, move to the right and get out of the left or passing lanes!
Notice I did not say, get out of the "fast" lanes. I said left or passing. I am not aware of any state driver's training or driver's license test that calls the left lanes the "fast" lanes.
So clearly, if limits are to be raised or dropped, many other conditions must be met. These include safer, regularly inspected cars. Better driver training and certification testing. Better built and maintained roads. AND more aggressive law enforcement.
Is the German Autobahn Safer than U.S. Highways?
Absolutely, YES!!!
Is the Autobahn Safer Than U.S. Highways?
