Have you ever wanted to go as fast as you please on the highway without getting in trouble? Well you could if the U.S. adopted the Autobahn Highway system similar to Germany’s own. If the U.S. adopted this system there would be significantly less wrecks per year, the traffic laws and restrictions would increase driving precautions, and there would be safer cars and trucks. The Autobahn system may not sound safe but it is. The idea of having a minimal speed limit may be the best thing to ever happen as it already has in Germany. In 2010 the United States had an estimated 5,419,000 crashes and killing 32,999 and injuring 2,239,000 while the rest were unharmful to pedestrians and other drivers. As to Germany who only had 299,637 crashes in 2012.
“Have you ever noticed how anyone going slower than you is an idiot, and everyone going faster than you is a maniac?” George Carlin once, jokingly asked. However, this is not the case for drivers on the famous highway systems in Germany. When you drive in Germany you can be“idiot” in the government’s eyes if you go too slowly, drive in the wrong lane or impede the flow of traffic. This distinction is not unique in Germany but is applicable on their federal highway system, aptly named the Autobahn. Rules regarding how anyone driving on the autobahn state that a driver must go a certain speed, or that driver becomes a public safety hazard, much like that of speeders in America. Many foreigners only hear how the autobahn has no speed limit and that is not necessarily true. There are in fact many areas that are speed limited and strictly enforced by the polizei and speed cameras integrated into the guard rail or surroundings. German drivers receive up to two years of very expensive and intensive training before driving within the country. In my opinion, I believe there should be an Autobahn-like system in America because it teaches future generations not only maturity, but also discipline and responsibility.
... With the application of a national speed limit of fifty-five miles per hour. benefits are significant to the company. Driving at 55 conserves fuel and decreases the cost of travel. It is less dangerous and so lives would be saved.
Statistics taking from Spain, United Kingdom, Germany and Netherlands show the majority of all bicycle accidents involve a motor-powered vehicle such as a car, bus, truck, tram, etc... [9]. In Germany in 2011, 10% of fatally injured road users were cyclists [13]. Bicycle-vehicle accident accounted for 60% of all bicycle accidents, while bicycle-pedestrian and bicycle only accidents make up 5~6% and 12~16% respectively [9]. Data presented in a report conducted in Germany stated, accidents involving collisions with vehicles accounted for 38% of all bicycle traumas while 26% of incidents involved the rider only [14]. The most common collision partner in a bicycle-vehicle accident was a
The greatest shock to Americans is the speed at which Germans drive. The roads and freeways are quite narrow. Speed limits in cities are strictly enforced, but on much of the Autobahn there is no limit on how fast drivers can go. Although it is against the law, impatient Germans may also tailgate at high speeds and/or flash their headlights when they want to pass your vehicle. If you are driving for the first time in Germany, keep right. Left lanes are for passing only. Unlike when you are driving in America; Americans tend to travel in the lane that is meant for passing and the faster drivers. Americans tend to think “ I am going the speed limit, so I am going to stay in the left lane”, the Germany way of thinking is that if you are not passing anyone or if you are going too slow, your car needs to be in the right hand lane.
8.) Great Britain. Department for Transport. London. Relationship between Speed and Risk of Fatal Injury: Pedestrians and Car Occupants. By Richards. Transport Research Laboratory, Sept. 2010. Web. .
“In 2008 nearly 6 000 Americans died in crashes involves driver, who were busy doing something other than driving.”
Speed limits are very important throughout the world. Mainly because it involves the safety of yourself and other drivers on the road. Most people feel as if speeding is okay if you are driving correctly without any distractions. Well that is not the case at all, if you are sure of your driving and doing more than the speed limit it is a possibility that it can be another person at fault for the cause of an accident. Other drivers driving slowly causes road rage because so many people are in different lanes driving at the same speed limit. Speeding has always been a problem with me because I love to drive fast and I have a heavy foot.
Ever since the invention of the automobile, numerous efforts have been employed to try and improve its safety features. Judging by the current statistics, one could argue that driving has so far turned out to be a risky business. In actual fact, people of all ages and social status are considered to be in control of lethal weapons whenever they have to drive. According to the National Safety Council, it is estimated that more than 41,000 people lose their lives in road accidents annually and no less than 2 million more suffer from serious life threatening injuries (2009). Furthermore, it is estimated that at least 50% of the people killed in road accidents is as a result of their failure to adhere to safety measures such as wearing seatbelts while driving, driving under the influence, or careless driving (Ingalls, “Defensive Driving Strategies”). As an effect, huge losses occur with respect to life, injuries sustained, and damage to property.
Based on available resources, 40000 people die each year in car accidents. This figure is an intimidating figure because it show the occurrence of death in a crash. In this accident, the leading cause of death is people under the age of 35 years old. Safety belts can prevent death in about half of these accident.
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens. The reason teens are having the most high risk accidents is because of drinking and driving. In 2013 2,163 teens in United States
...bit faster than normal. What should drivers do? Well, there is something we can do that would allow for us to be able to raise the speed limits. We can write to our local representatives and let them know the need for raising the speed limits. Provide good research and valuable information that will help them to make the best possible decision. Of course, we must obey the law until the speed limits are changed. God has commanded us to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s. (Bible) This was used not only in the aspect of money but also in the aspect of all of Caesar’s laws. The urge is very real to want to break the law, but think about others before yourself. According to Terry Turner we need to think of the why before the how. Basically ask yourself, why do I need to speed? Then after careful consideration of all factors, decide how fast to drive your automobile.
Imagine driving on I-75 as cars race by you at a blink of an eye. You are driving 60 miles per hour, the speed limit; they must be doing 100 miles per hour or more. This is not an illusion; this is the reality of driving on a highway. Believe it, it happens everyday. Cars race down the road at uncontrollable speeds that cause tickets, accidents, and sadly death. Speed limits are a must for traffic control, for safety in neighborhoods and for avoidance of collisions.
Should there be limitations on speed limits? Should the people be allowed to choose their own speed limit? These questions have always been one of the important topics when it comes to the government and the nations people. The government have always regulated speed limits on many highways in the United States. Many people have come to a conclusion that it is safe to keep these regulations due to accidents being one of the major causes of fatal deaths in the nations highways and roads. Due to these deaths many people have lost loved ones and most of them choose to speak up when it comes to their safety on the highways.
The building of Das Autobahn reflects Germany’s national perspective on the value of freedom. The Germans, one could argue, hold driving as a national value. This mindset of this is seen in their setup of highways. The beginnings of the highway network started before WWII. This time-period is when the car makes its début to the mainstream public. Putting great strain on the dilapidated dirt roads, the car forces government to think outside the box and find new ways of moving mass amounts of traffic expected in the future. The government finds a stretch of road built along the Rheine that acts as their vision (Oster 45). This vision of freedom, built along the Rheine, allows all of Germany to interconnect to one another by way of this system of highways. The German government spends no time wasting in red tape, and ...
...s to make traffic more efficient. For example, the Ohio Revised Code in section 4511.21 states clearly that "No person shall operate a motor vehicle, trackless trolley, or a street car at a speed greater than reasonable or proper due regard to the traffic." Road speed limits are used to regulate the speed of vehicles. Sometimes people try to get somewhere and they go over the speed limit not realizing that they are putting themselves in danger. Now every time I get in a car with a friend or a family member, I make sure that they are going by the speed limit, not texting and paying attention on the road. It is very important that we follow this rules because they are only protecting us, and keeping us safe. If we want to reduce the millions of deaths that are caused by this imprudence every year we need to start being more responsible when we get behind the wheel.