The Autobahn is an elaborate network of expressways running throughout much of Europe. What sets the German version of this road system apart from its neighbours is that much of it has no maximum speed limit. None. Or as the Germans would say: “Keine Geschwindigskeitsbeschränkungen!” Right. Whether a road without speed limits sounds like a dream come true or a terrible nightmare, the reality is that the Autobahn is a major and useful component of Germany’s transportation system. And because it’s German, you can safely assume that it’s orderly, efficient, and facilitated by a tall stack of rules and regulations.
Driving on the Autobahn is an active process. Dense traffic and unbridled speed demand it. In seconds, a speck in your mirror can turn into the front grille of an SUV, bearing down on you at the speed of the Concorde. But not everyone hurtles down the asphalt at paint-blistering speed: endless convoys of transport trucks and motor homes move at a much slower pace. Driving in these conditions has little in common with traditional driving styles. Certain habits ingrained in the North American freeway tradition—such as merging slowly from an on-ramp, passing on the right, riding the middle lane, and passing on cruise control (possibly with only one hand on the wheel)—would be extremely dangerous in Germany. On the Autobahn, other drivers expect you to be alert, act decisively, and to follow the rules. Mistakes made at 300 km/h (180 mi/h) have different consequences than ones made at 100 km/h (60 mi/h), after all.
Unfortunately, as much as going fast is a feature of the Autobahn, so is going slow—or at times—not going at all. Traffic jams, called “Stau” in German, are common. While the average traffic jam is 2 km (1.2 mi) long, they can easily stretch to more than 20 km (12 mi) and set you back hours. Road construction, traffic accidents and weather are the leading causes, aggravated by rush hour and holiday traffic. Stau is so common, that German states stagger school holidays in order to reduce congestion. Other initiatives include prohibiting trucks on Sundays, changing speed limits dynamically, and at times permitting traffic on the shoulder. Despite these measures, you’re less likely to experience serious delays if you avoid holidays, stick to weekdays, or hit the road early.
For those apprehensive about driving on the Autobahn, following a few simple rules will make your own journey safer and more pleasant. Click on the link below for a detailed guide explaining what to expect and how to behave around other drivers. Extra sections provide tips in case of accident or breakdown, and some useful German vocabulary. While this information is specifically intended for the German Autobahn, much of it will apply to other European expressways. The guide is printer-friendly, so definitely bring it along on your next trip to Europe. Viel Spass!
(Road sign images courtesy of Wikipedia Commons)