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Sunday, September 29, 2013

Safety Without Speed Limits?

Moving over to allow faster-moving traffic to get by is a wonderful concept. But I’d take it a step farther: If you’re not passing, you should not be in the left lane at all.

That, at any rate, is the way it’s done in Germany. There is a reason why. It is called closing speed. If a Porsche turbo doing 140 is bearing down on a Fiat 500 doing 70, the Fiat driver had better notice the headlights getting much larger, much faster in his rearview – and get the hell out of the way in time.

Which he usually does. Which is why the German Autobahn is a safer place – without speed limits – than U.S. highways are with speed limits.

German drivers are taught to use the passing lane only to pass. They don’t set the cruise control and zone out or gabble on their cell phones like so many American drivers unfortunately do. Instead, they use scan their rearview and side mirrors so that they are always aware of the ebb and flow of traffic around them. They anticipate the need to yield to a faster-moving vehicle such that the faster moving vehicle’s driver does not have to abruptly slow then maneuver to get around a dawdler. Traffic thus flows. And, high-speed traffic can mingle with lower-speed traffic safely.

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29 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have driven on the Autobahn and this article is true. There are NO speed limits and everyone STAYS in the right lane unless passing. It's much safer than the left-lane lunatics we have here.

Anonymous said...

It' not the speed that kills, it's the speed DIFFERENCE.

Clovers want to impose their own limitations on everyone else, be damned about safety or traffic flow.

Cops rarely enforce the left lane restriction unless HE is behind someone in it.

And with the skill level of most drivers nowadays, they need to be on the shoulder to give those in the right lane preference.

Jim said...

Yes people... get out of the left lane if people behind you are moving faster. You can stay there until someone comes up on you then move over... look in your mirors... know yor enviroment!!

ginn said...

Those that feel 'entitled' to the left lane are simply the people that have the same attitude which has crumbled this once great America.

Anonymous said...

MD in all it's stupid wisdom does not have a law restricting left lane hangers.

Anonymous said...

The points made here are all valid - but more importantly...here in the states, we allow too many stupid people to get a drivers license and own a car. In Germany, there are additional training requirements and costs associated with driving.

We also have too many laws that protect stupid people from their mistakes...so they live and breed more stupid people

Anonymous said...

It is a myth that there are no speed limits on the Autoban. The majority is limited. On the stretches where there is no limit it's advised to do no more than 80 mph. If going faster and you wreck you are automatically at fault.

Anonymous said...

I use cruise control as much as possible. Wish more people did. Its unclear what using cruise control has to do with zoning out.

Anonymous said...

How many left turns to exit the autobahn are there? Maybe if there were only right turn exits off of our roads then that theory could work in our country. Until then, get over it!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
MD in all it's stupid wisdom does not have a law restricting left lane hangers.

September 26, 2013 at 5:15 AM

That's part of the problem right there. People do not even know the law or rules of the road.

As far as I know, EVERY state has a left lane restriction. Do you ever see those cute little signs that say slower traffic keep right? You know, white background with black lettering which by the way denotes LAW.

But of course, the speed limit signs have the same lettering and they are ignored too.

And some states have even made new laws that state if you are not ACTIVELY passing/overtaking a vehicle, you can be ticketed for even BEING in the left lane. Which is the point of staying to the right.

But police rarely enforce these types of laws, unless someone is holding them up.

Here are some tips:
look ahead 1/2 mile to gauge traffic flow and obstructions; have enough space in front of your vehicle and the vehicle you are following so you can stop if the need arises; at night do not drive faster than you can see AND STOP in the area covered by your headlights; if you pull in front of someone and they have to hit their brakes, you did not do it correctly; use your turn signals; use your mirrors, CONTINUALLY, things change quickly; even though you are not REQUIRED to, move over for merging traffic, if you can safely and courteously; use headlights when it is raining, which is another law in many states.

Taking a driver refresher course will not only improve your skills but many insurance companies will give you a discount when successfully completed.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
How many left turns to exit the autobahn are there? Maybe if there were only right turn exits off of our roads then that theory could work in our country. Until then, get over it!

September 26, 2013 at 10:28 AM

If clovers did not squat in the left lane you would not have a problem exiting on the left. If you signal well in advance, you still should not have too much of a problem. Regardless, riding 5 miles in the left lane to find your exit is not acceptable, or legal.

YOU get over it.

Anonymous said...

I like the scenery better in the left lane. Plus it puts more distance between me and the pesky driver or passenger in the other car. I am an AMERICAN and I drive the speed limit and I DESERVE to be in whatever lane I like.

Anonymous said...

Show me 12:34 where in MD that is illegal.

Anonymous said...

I agree 100% 11:30!

Anonymous said...

12:34 you are terribly wrong! YOU MAY NOW GET OVER IT OR MOVE TO GERMANY.

Anonymous said...

Somewhere around the DC area but still in the state of Maryland there was someone given a ticket for driving to slow in the left lane. Cops pulled her over for failing to move right because she was going 63 in a 65 zone, which slows everyone else down as well.

Anonymous said...

That case was dismissed 2:50. The trooper was also corrected as far as the law is concerned for impeding traffic. 63 in a 65 did not violate the law.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
Show me 12:34 where in MD that is illegal.

September 27, 2013 at 12:56 AM

Where what is illegal? Driving in the left lane? That has already been done if you can read and have comprehension.

I like the scenery better in the left lane. Plus it puts more distance between me and the pesky driver or passenger in the other car. I am an AMERICAN and I drive the speed limit and I DESERVE to be in whatever lane I like.

September 26, 2013 at 11:30 PM

I hope that is a sarcastic joke. If not, you need a ticket with a large fine and an education.

Anonymous said...
I agree 100% 11:30!

September 27, 2013 at 12:57 AM

Same goes for you.

Anonymous Anonymous said...
12:34 you are terribly wrong! YOU MAY NOW GET OVER IT OR MOVE TO GERMANY.

September 27, 2013 at 12:59 AM

Um, no, it is absolutely true. Repeating lies do not make them true. Nor does believing a lie make them true. Judging by the number of ignorant comments on this subject, they really, really need to bring back driver EDUCATION in high schools. These for profit driver schools do everyone a disservice by not teaching basic rules of the road and legal driving.


Anonymous said...

Hey 11:20, you can't pick and choose. The speed limit is just that. THE LIMIT! Nowhere in the traffic code does it say if you feel like going faster or because you're running late that you should get in the left lane and all others should get out of your way. Maybe you may want to read it!

Anonymous said...

Some folks amaze me. By "slower moving traffic" it is meant for those doing under the "posted" speed limit. Some people can read but don't necessarily comprehend.

Anonymous said...

This is all well and good for those instances when there is a passing lane. What I object to are the self-important jackasses who have to ride my bumper on 2-lane roads. And yes, I'm one of those jerks who will slow to a crawl if I'm driving the speed limit and you feel the need to tailgate.

Anonymous said...

12:07: Like!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like 11:20 is clueless.

Anonymous said...

9:43 AM

I never said that,BUT it does state that all traffic, slow or otherwise is to be in the right lane, TRAVEL lane. None of you are traffic cops. Being passed does not give you the authority to block/slow traffic down.

Anonymous Anonymous said...
Some folks amaze me. By "slower moving traffic" it is meant for those doing under the "posted" speed limit. Some people can read but don't necessarily comprehend.

September 29, 2013 at 9:49 AM3

See above.

Anonymous Anonymous said...
Sounds like 11:20 is clueless.

September 29, 2013 at 3:24 PM

By quoting the law? When do you get your driving instructions, video games?

Anonymous said...

10:06 I suggest getting a copy of the MD traffic code and reading it. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
10:06 I suggest getting a copy of the MD traffic code and reading it. Thank you.

September 29, 2013 at 10:24 PM

I suggest you do it first, since everything I have said can be found in the code. And I'm not talking about a drivers hand book at the dmv. But that would be a start for you and most of the others.

Anonymous said...

I have as well 2:47. Now if you have read it, and I believe you to have not, then you might know of what you speak. I suggest you have someone interpret the laws for you. It's just called the code but it's not really complicated.

Anonymous said...

8:24 AM

The best way to settle this is for you to quote the code in which I am wrong. Go ahead, I'll wait. And wait, and wait...

Anonymous said...

and still waiting...