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Debunking common myths about the Autobahn

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Re: Debunking common myths about the Autobahn

#131

Post by Retric »

rad_gruchalski wrote: post #128
Retric wrote: post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Fast drivers not paying attention are again much more dangerous because they over take other drivers and need to respond accordingly. Slow drivers on the other hand are being overtaken and so their inattention is rarely an issue for others on a freeway.

There are fast drivers and reckless drivers. The latter ones are indeed dangerous, the former ones are usually more alert. Of course, from an outsider perspective it is difficult to distinguish.

Being alert doesn’t change the laws of physics.

You are putting others at risk by driving faster because for example the increased forces on your tire dramatically increase the risks of a blowout. They are less able to deal with avoiding obstacles not only from reaction time issues but because their increased momentum makes turning slower. And it keeps going, excess speed doesn’t seem like a big deal but there’s a reason it kills so many people in other vehicles.

Re: Debunking common myths about the Autobahn

#132

Post by xkbarkar »

When we get to intelligent highways and self driving cars I wonder how much difference various speed limits make. In the Nordics Ive seen discussions to go from 130 to 110 because of climate.

Will self driving electric cars be trusted to drive as fast as the construction of the road plus population density permits?

Re: Debunking common myths about the Autobahn

#133

Post by fisf »

est31 wrote: post #90
rad_gruchalski wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We’re talking about the Autobahn, not a random road in the forest or a city. Those are designed for the speed.

Due to topography, Autobahn roads can still be very curvy. The Albaufstieg [0] is an extreme example but not the only one. Notice the sign at 3:04, it's limited to 60 kmh. Weather can make those curves even more dangerous, e.g. rain or ice. As for objects, they still occur. One example is prior accidents. Another example is the end of a traffic jam. These are an especially bad problem for trucks [1], that actually dr…

Ok, so you are saying that more problematic road parts have (and should have) lower speed limits.

Re: Debunking common myths about the Autobahn

#134

Post by Scarblac »

kmlx wrote: post #113
bluecalm wrote: post #111

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There is a solution which EU is actually implementing: automatic speed limiters in every car. Unfortunately the auto industry lobbies successfully to delay it and cripple it so instead of having it obligatory in every car 10 years ago we will have a crippled version of it in some cars (new ones) starting in a year. It's a start though. 20 more years and the problem will be solved.

> automatic speed limiters in every car. this is literally the nightmare of every driver.

Absolutely not, I want to stick to the speed limit (or go slower, 100km/h is fine). It's much easier to do that if everyone else is forced to do it too.

Re: Debunking common myths about the Autobahn

#135

Post by precommunicator »

AnonymousPlanet wrote: post #56
tensorturtle wrote: post #9

Proponents of unlimited speed Autobahn could argue: 1. The tourism value: I anecdotally know people visit Germany just for the Autobahn. (See Nürburgring, which is technically an Autobahn) 2. Sale of performance cars: The high actual minimum speed (from my experience you need to drive at around 150km/h in the middle lane, and 180-200km/h to pass on the left lane). Almost anywhere else in the world, the top speed of c…

You have it the wrong way around. The fact that German drivers have to go through rigorous driving lessons by a licensed teacher is the reason they are allowed higher speeds. If your driving license can be obtained by scooting around for a couple of hours with your dad at your side and then do a DMV test that consists of driving once around the block, you shouldn't be allowed to drive at dangerous speeds.

Well, but minutes after obtaining such license you can literally board a plane to Germany and go drive 200 km/h, the only obstacle being rental companies policies, which, if you have enough money, can be skipped. And personally, after having a license from another EU country for less than 2 months when I first drove in my car in Germany, I definitely didn't feel prepared.

Re: Debunking common myths about the Autobahn

#136

Post by rad_gruchalski »

est31 wrote: post #90
rad_gruchalski wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We’re talking about the Autobahn, not a random road in the forest or a city. Those are designed for the speed.

Due to topography, Autobahn roads can still be very curvy. The Albaufstieg [0] is an extreme example but not the only one. Notice the sign at 3:04, it's limited to 60 kmh. Weather can make those curves even more dangerous, e.g. rain or ice. As for objects, they still occur. One example is prior accidents. Another example is the end of a traffic jam. These are an especially bad problem for trucks [1], that actually dr…

I know that A8 part. It’s pretty cool. The speed limit there is most likely due to how steep it is. Trucks are pretty slow there. The ICE goes around that mountain as slow as the traffic on the Autobahn.

Re: Debunking common myths about the Autobahn

#137

Post by rad_gruchalski »

Retric wrote: post #131
rad_gruchalski wrote: post #128

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are fast drivers and reckless drivers. The latter ones are indeed dangerous, the former ones are usually more alert. Of course, from an outsider perspective it is difficult to distinguish.

Being alert doesn’t change the laws of physics. You are putting others at risk by driving faster because for example the increased forces on your tire dramatically increase the risks of a blowout. They are less able to deal with avoiding obstacles not only from reaction time issues but because their increased momentum makes turning slower. And it keeps going, excess speed doesn’t seem like a big deal but there’s a re…

We can continue this discussion.

> You are putting others at risk by driving faster because for example the increased forces on your tire dramatically increase the risks of a blowout. They are less able to deal with avoiding obstacles not only from reaction time issues but because their increased momentum makes turning slower.

The tires have a speed rating. Have a look at the tire wall. The letter on the tire tells you what speed they are rated for. If you don’t look after your tires, it doesn’t matter how fast you are going to be travelling. A friend of mine was killed in an accident at 20kph.

You need to know what you are driving and don’t be reckless.

Re: Debunking common myths about the Autobahn

#139

Post by jen20 »

k__ wrote: post #31

I once drove from Stuttgart to Munich (230km) in 1h. I never feard so much for my life.

Weird, it feels far more dangerous driving down the 101 from SFO to Palo Alto where a high proportion of people don’t know what indicators are for or are on their phone than anywhere in Germany. Similarly a yellow cab in NYC has the same effect…
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