As a Canadian, I’ve always wondered how people km Germany are able to drive so fast. There was a point where I would drive 140km/h regularly, but that seems to be on the lower end in Germany? Are the highways in Germany straight enough where you can go 150+ easily? How do people deal with bends and such?
I would drive 140km/h regularly, but that seems to be on the lower end in Germany?
I would say most people go 120-140.
There are some who go only 100. Some go 160 or 180. Very few go even faster.
Funny thing: Teslas are on the lower end. You can hardly see them going above 120, and even less when it’s just a little bit uphill.
Yes, the highways are mostly straight enough, and the white lines are visible etc. Where there are dangerous sections, there are speed limits accordingly.
But you also have to look carefully: if you go much faster than 130 and the road isn’t good enough for whatever “much faster” is, then you are liable for the outcome.
But you also have to look carefully: if you go much faster than 130 and the road isn’t good enough for whatever “much faster” is, then you are liable for the outcome.
This. If you crash while going 170km/h its really likely that the insurance won’t pay anything if the accident could have been prevented by going 130km/h
Driving fast is easy once you get used to it, especially on a road as perfect as the German autobahn. I’ve gone way faster on much worse roads in the middle of nowhere USA. 140 KM/h is not very fast at all. Those bikes are going much faster in the video. The speed limit on the highway in Texas is around 140 KM/h. I’ve gone 298 KM/h on a sport bike, and 170 KM/h in a car. The car was easy as can be. I do admit that 298 KM/h on a bike was excessive, and scary, and I decided not to do that again. But 193 KM/h was pretty standard for me when I had a sport bike.
Edit: the vehicle you are in makes a big difference. Cars and bikes built for those speeds have tight suspension, and handle well at high speeds. An old beat up Toyota Corolla isn’t going to be safe or fun at those kinds of speeds.
I wouldn’t say its on the lower end. We have the rightmost lane which is almost entirely occupied by trucks which are not allowed to drive faster than 90km/h. On roads with more than 2 lanes the left most is used for anything between 130-200 I’d say. If you are using that lane and see someone faster coming up behind you you get out of the way. If that’s not possible, well they’ll just have to brake won’t they.
The highways are mostly straight as well in germany so curves aren’t really an issue
If you are using that lane and see someone faster coming up behind you you get out of the way
This is the crux of it, and what is so fucking annoying driving in Washington State, USA. We have the worst drivers in the country here, and people will be cruising along at 15mph under the speed limit in the left lane, keeping pace with the driver in the right lane, completely oblivious to everything going on around them. To make matters worse, they hit their brakes at every sweeping curve, curves designed so that drivers don’t have to slow down. It’s infuriating.
I’m convinced the left lane has become the cell phone lane. Camp out going 10 under what others want to do so you can use your phone and not have to worry about lane changes and merges as much.
Out of curiosity, have you had the issue of drivers using their phones on those roads? It’s a pretty big issue in the US at pretty much any speed, wonder if it affects y’all?
Most people I see are sensible though unfortunately I have a friend who will (briefly) use his phone even while driving about 180km/h. He’s also the only cop I personally know…
As a Canadian, I can tell you with certainty that you can do an average speed of 140km/h from Oshawa to Kingston without slowing down in the bends. I don’t know what your driving experiences are, but that’s not the metre-stick to use.
I cruise control at 120 most of the time. I hit 140-160 when passing. I’d feel like maybe 1/4 of the cars do pass me and maybe only 1 or 2 go faster than 160 all the time.
As a Canadian, I’ve always wondered how people km Germany are able to drive so fast. There was a point where I would drive 140km/h regularly, but that seems to be on the lower end in Germany? Are the highways in Germany straight enough where you can go 150+ easily? How do people deal with bends and such?
I would say most people go 120-140.
There are some who go only 100. Some go 160 or 180. Very few go even faster.
Funny thing: Teslas are on the lower end. You can hardly see them going above 120, and even less when it’s just a little bit uphill.
Yes, the highways are mostly straight enough, and the white lines are visible etc. Where there are dangerous sections, there are speed limits accordingly.
But you also have to look carefully: if you go much faster than 130 and the road isn’t good enough for whatever “much faster” is, then you are liable for the outcome.
This. If you crash while going 170km/h its really likely that the insurance won’t pay anything if the accident could have been prevented by going 130km/h
Driving fast is easy once you get used to it, especially on a road as perfect as the German autobahn. I’ve gone way faster on much worse roads in the middle of nowhere USA. 140 KM/h is not very fast at all. Those bikes are going much faster in the video. The speed limit on the highway in Texas is around 140 KM/h. I’ve gone 298 KM/h on a sport bike, and 170 KM/h in a car. The car was easy as can be. I do admit that 298 KM/h on a bike was excessive, and scary, and I decided not to do that again. But 193 KM/h was pretty standard for me when I had a sport bike.
Edit: the vehicle you are in makes a big difference. Cars and bikes built for those speeds have tight suspension, and handle well at high speeds. An old beat up Toyota Corolla isn’t going to be safe or fun at those kinds of speeds.
Are you suggesting that Initial D lied to us?
I wouldn’t say its on the lower end. We have the rightmost lane which is almost entirely occupied by trucks which are not allowed to drive faster than 90km/h. On roads with more than 2 lanes the left most is used for anything between 130-200 I’d say. If you are using that lane and see someone faster coming up behind you you get out of the way. If that’s not possible, well they’ll just have to brake won’t they.
The highways are mostly straight as well in germany so curves aren’t really an issue
This is the crux of it, and what is so fucking annoying driving in Washington State, USA. We have the worst drivers in the country here, and people will be cruising along at 15mph under the speed limit in the left lane, keeping pace with the driver in the right lane, completely oblivious to everything going on around them. To make matters worse, they hit their brakes at every sweeping curve, curves designed so that drivers don’t have to slow down. It’s infuriating.
Come to Florida.
I’m convinced the left lane has become the cell phone lane. Camp out going 10 under what others want to do so you can use your phone and not have to worry about lane changes and merges as much.
Out of curiosity, have you had the issue of drivers using their phones on those roads? It’s a pretty big issue in the US at pretty much any speed, wonder if it affects y’all?
Most people I see are sensible though unfortunately I have a friend who will (briefly) use his phone even while driving about 180km/h. He’s also the only cop I personally know…
I love Germany
As a Canadian, I can tell you with certainty that you can do an average speed of 140km/h from Oshawa to Kingston without slowing down in the bends. I don’t know what your driving experiences are, but that’s not the metre-stick to use.
I cruise control at 120 most of the time. I hit 140-160 when passing. I’d feel like maybe 1/4 of the cars do pass me and maybe only 1 or 2 go faster than 160 all the time.
Germany has highways with no speed limits. Seems like the ones doing 200+ km/h are mostly tourists.
Check some speed clips on Y*uTube 😁