German Autobahn
The German autobahn is somewhat like the highways in the United States, except it accomodates much higher speeds. It is typically 4 meters wide with large shoulders and grades of less than 4%. It has reflectors every 50 meters, emergency phones every 2KM, a freeze resistent surface, frequesnt rest stops (the ones with toilet facilities are marked with WC).
As the Autobahn enters a metropolitan area, it turns into a StadtAutobahn which is 6 - 8 lanes wide with frequent exits and lots of signs to direct drivers. You will notice that it is on the StadtAutobahns that you find the most traffic.
When driving on the Autobahn you should be aware of several laws which are in effect.
- Pedestrians, mopeds, or bicycles with a max speed less than 36MPH (60KPH) are not permitted ont he Autobahn.
Speed limits on the Autobahn are not always posted. The speed limit is 100KPH unless otherwise posted. Motorists usually drive much faster, so be careful when changing lanes. Cars often approach at speeds in excess of 180KPH (over 100MPH). If you are invovled in an accident, and it is deeemed that you were traveling faster than 130 KPH (78 MPH) your insurance company has the right to withhold payment for damages.- Highbeem headlights are not permitted.
- During traffic jams, drivers must leave room for emergency vehicles between the left most lane and the adjacent lane. To do so drivers in the left lane move as far to the left as possible and drivers in the adjacent lane move as for to the right as is safley possible.
- It is illegal to stop on shoulders or run out of gas.
- Passing on the right is illegal on all German roads.
- If you are in an accident, or break down, you must move to the shoulder and quickly place your warning triangle 200 meters behind your car. The incident must immediatley be reported to the Autobahn Administration via a nearby emergency phone.
The Autobahn: What’s Wikepedia say?
Autobahn is the German word for a major high-speed road restricted to motor vehicles and having full control of access, similar to a motorway or freeway in English-speaking countries.
In most countries, it usually refers to the German autobahn specifically. German autobahns have no general speed limit (though about 20% of the total length is subject to local and/or conditional limits), but the “recommended speed” is 130 km/h (80 mph). Austrian and Swiss autobahns have general speed limits of 130 km/h and 120 km/h (75 mph), respectively. In German, the word is pronounced as described above, and its plural is Autobahnen; in English, however, the segment “auto” is typically pronounced as in other English words such as “automobile”. The official name of the autobahn in Germany is Bundesautobahn (BAB) (federal motorway).