marton

Funny that even though "speed kills" the often speed unlimited motorways in Germany are among the safest roads in Europe?

This is from a report published today by the ETSC, see link.
ETSC is a Brussels-based independent non-profitmaking organisation.
Founded in 1993, ETSC provides an impartial source of expert advice on transport safety matters to the European Commission, the European Parliament, and Member States.
http://tinyurl.com/37mps6

So far as I can figure it out from the DOT statistics; in the US there are about 9 people killed on average for every billion km driven which is worse than any of the death rates quoted below.

Part of the report says;
"The European motorways are safest in Switzerland, Denmark, the Netherlands and Great Britain, where less than two people are killed on average for every billion km driven.
In Sweden, France, Ireland, Germany and Finland the risk of death is below the EU average of 4 deaths per billion vehicle-km. In Austria, Norway, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Italy, Portugal and Spain, death rates are above the EU average of 4 but below 7. On Slovene and Hungarian motorways, more than 8 people are killed for every billion km driven."

Vilhuer

In here there is no hope what so ever to be best in this contest simply because of the weather. Still, fact that we beat Belgium isn't surprise knowing how they drive.

Leon Speed

That's easy. Cant drive faster then 120 kph or 74.5 mph anywhere. No fun!! Or if you do, an unmarked vehicle pulls you off the road. Ask me how I know

RyanPerrella

dont park your car in Prague, or the Czech republic actually.

Budapest also comes to mind, they have some really smart car thieves out there.

Nicole

I knew that German roads are pretty safe, but I had no idea we have more than twice as many deaths per mile driven in the US compared to Germany.

But then again, if you know about all the safety initiatives over there, it's not all that surprising. Germans believe in education, and continue to provide it to studens and drivers.

On the other hand, how many of us would want to drive 30 km/h (18mph) in as many areas as the Germans have to? Many speed limits there are ridiculously low, and enforcement is tight; radar and laser detectors are illegal.

marton

Nicole posted
It is always possible to argue the exact numbers but this article states 4 deaths per billion Km in Germany and the generally accepted US figure is 1.5 deaths per 100 million miles which is near enough twice, oder? These numbers refer to motorways/autobahns/freeways; not roads in towns or cities.

Marton

Ron_H

What can I say?!!?? What have I been saying all along???

Nicole

Ron:

The trouble is that in Europe - Germany, at least - you'd have no defense against the system. Radar Detectors are illegal and penalties for using one can be high. Enforcement is tight and "efficient". Smaller tickets can no longer be fought in court. Not sure what the threashold is.

Dad recently got caught with 155km/h in a 120 zone on the Autobahn. The ticket wasn't cheap, but if he gets another one with 20 km/h over, he'll walk for a while...

Whie I still think the Autobahn is significantly safer than any California freeway, there are few areas where you can still have fun. There is eithier a limit (120 km/h or less), too much traffic, or too many trucks. It's getting quite frustrating, actually.

Okv

Does not surprise me at all after driving around in several eu countries, observing driving habits.

The "old" autobahn ("schnellbahn") is, to me, a safe and efficient way of transportation, where, when traffic allows it (hence, "old"..), it brings out the best of traffic culture and driving habits from drivers.
I consider the liberal implementation of the 130 km/h speed limit (it is not actually "free", is it? The recommended speed is max 130.) to be the most important contribution to the polite, observant and safe behaviour on the autobahn.

Not surprising that Norway (Nisseland) is among the worst, especially our motorways I find dangerous, and the too low speed limit of 100 km/h is obstructing traffic and creating dangerous situations.

Just returned from a winter-trip down to Switzerland, driving all the way down and home again. It is always a joy to drive in Germany, when traffic allows for true "schnellfahren", and you drive a Porsche.

Ron_H

FWIW, there is an interesting development possibly due to occur shortly with regard to California maximum speed laws. Keep watching this channel, same time, for an announcement.

alex70

Ryan, on a side note, can you elaborate or pass a link or something? I moving there and am curious about what you just mentioned.

thanks

RyanPerrella

When I was in Budapest a friend of mine there was commenting to me about how when the new S-Class and 7 Series BMW's came out they were disappearing from dealers lots because they had cracked the electronics on these things and could drive off pretty much at will. Budapest is where Audi builds allot of cars including the R8 and there are some very intelligent people there in the business of making cars disappear.

As for Prague and the Czech republic, when i was importing cars from Germany years ago I was told by many people to stay out of Prague specifically because I had mentioned a strong desire to go there. I never did end up getting there until 5 months ago but when i was there it was also explained to me that having a nice car is a liability. Perhaps its really not anymore so then having a nice car in downtown LA or the equivelent, but it was enough of a problem that it was mentioned to me numerous times.

The Czech Republic is a bit poorer a country then the other EU countries so this stuff tends to happen more. Its not at all the wild wild east but its not as cozy as Orange county.

Where are you moving to? I would love to live in Berlin for awhile. I was thinking Paris but not sure what i would do for work there. I do know that Germany at least has a guest worker program. But I would love to live in Europe for awhile.

(I just noticed your avatar says Prague, have you been there before?) Really pretty and fun city, but its become very touristy, much more so then i was imagining unfortunately. May i ask what your doing there for work? I would love to spend more time in eastern Europe, its allot of fun!

imfinlay

I spend a lot of time in Prague, as it's my company's Ops HQ and I have quite a few staff there. It is indeed a fun place, lots of good restaurants and nice people. Mind you, I spend most of my time working....

Ian

heinrich

So is speeding

kris

I saw what you wrote there. Just when I thought you were a nice guy.










Just kidding, we are pretty bad.