Was such a common ground to be expected? Worldwide, there is a maximum speed on motorways in almost every country in the world. In addition to Germany, Haiti just wants to be a paradise for high-speed drivers. But it is only theoretically. More than 30 km / h is usually not possible there because of the road conditions.
The CDU and CSU are still not impressed by the fact that the other countries drive well with a speed limit. Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer (CSU) always dismissed calls for a general speed limit. They are “against all common sense,” he said and spoke of “irresponsible” mind games. Above all, one thing is irresponsible: Allowing any speed on most kilometers of the autobahn.
Where people drive more slowly, there are fewer serious accidents
Because traffic statistics and experts make it clear that there is a clear connection between traffic safety and speed. Accidents are less severe where drivers drive less quickly. The Germans would often not even arrive later, they would lead them more slowly: Studies show that a speed limit improves the flow of traffic overall and prevents traffic jams. The SPD now seems to have understood this: in its election manifesto, it is calling for a speed limit, like the Greens and the Left. Like the Union, the FDP and AfD are against it.
The government is also aware of the dangers of the high pace. In expensive campaigns, politicians are asking Germans to slow down voluntarily. The Ministry of Transport is financing the “Get off the gas” initiative. Inadequate speed, she warns, is the number one cause of accidents in fatal accidents. Finally draw conclusions from this? No federal government has dared to do this for decades. The lobby pressure was always too great, the fear of being punished by voters too great. Because part of the truth is that the debate divides Germans.
In this way, politics is hare-footed a relic of the old PS republic. But times change. Electric cars are hardly suitable for racing on highways. If you want to maximize the range, it is better to drive slowly – especially with patchy charging networks. And autonomous cars will hardly go faster than 130. Sensors and computers could hardly handle all too different speeds. Many in the industry even consider the lack of a speed limit to be an obstacle to the development of the cars of the future.
What kind of a concept of freedom is that actually?
The limit could also help the climate. It would be an easy way to save two million tons of CO₂ every year. That is only a fraction of the total greenhouse gas emissions in Germany. But at least. And unlike gasoline surcharges, it wouldn’t even cost anything. The fear of job losses is exaggerated. Ferraris are selling all over the world, although Italy has long since had a speed limit of 130.
The opponents of the speed limit also defend a highly questionable freedom: the freedom of those who would like to depress the accelerator. The freedom of the individual must end where it becomes a danger to others – hence a smoking ban in restaurants and airplanes. And so it is with the long accepted speed limits in cities or on country roads. After the election, it will also become clear on the highways whether the next government has the courage to change.