| Author |
Message |
David Perini (Oppie20)
New member
Username: Oppie20
Post Number: 28
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, October 31, 2003 - 8:56 am: | |
Keep Right.
It's not just a good idea It's the law, or at least it should be.
Note: Those who think I am talking about voting Republican please read the rest of the posts in this thread.
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Kds (Kds)
Member
Username: Kds
Post Number: 403
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Friday, October 31, 2003 - 8:43 am: | |
IIRC the testing that a German citizen must undergo and endure to obtain ones driver's license involves significantly more than any tests administered here in North America.
Maybe some of our German friends could enlighten us on what specifically is the norm nowadays. It's been almost 25 years since I last was licensed and actually drove in Europe. Back then it involved a lot of classroom work, written tests (plural), a lot of driving hours, the ability to articulate and explain the various systems of your vehicle...etc...etc.
Absolutely the opposite of what it is in Canada.
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Telson (Pitbull_trader)
Junior Member
Username: Pitbull_trader
Post Number: 216
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Friday, October 31, 2003 - 8:01 am: | |
Individual states might be reluctant to remove (speed) limits, since many now get significant revenue from ticketing speeders.
http://biz.yahoo.com/fo/031029/c5818a3280a41852
f8a4b6503f323325_2.html
The fact that ticketing has become an issue that has lots less to do with safety and much more with revenue generation is such an incredible institutionalized scam and rip off, that I'm really amazed that it doesn't get politicized.
While it obviously wouldn't be the only issue on the agenda, this should nevertheless provide a great platform for a candidate to run on.
(There are many more articles on the web on the topic of ticketing being abused for revenue generation, I just quoted that little piece up there from the article in this thread.)
Best, |
wm hart (Whart)
Intermediate Member
Username: Whart
Post Number: 1710
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 29, 2003 - 5:33 pm: | |
Dan: thought you'd never ask. Its on my list. See: http://www.openroadracing.com/ |
Julio Valladares (Jbanzai)
Junior Member
Username: Jbanzai
Post Number: 169
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 29, 2003 - 5:27 pm: | |
BTW the left lane left for passing is not only in the german Autobhan. This is driving regulation that is respected almost everywere in western Europe, not just in Germany.
In fact the only place I know in the north hemisphere that in not the case is in the US.
I've been there, seen that. ;)
- Julio. |
Dan (Bobafett)
Intermediate Member
Username: Bobafett
Post Number: 1820
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 29, 2003 - 5:19 pm: | |
Bill,
It seems that mentality is of most American drivers, and while NY is definetly up there, it's prevalent elsewhere.
I too feel it an important to be curteous (I'm amazed at just how good most CA drivers are in this respect), if for no other reason than to set an example.
BTW, what is ELKO?
--Dan |
wm hart (Whart)
Intermediate Member
Username: Whart
Post Number: 1709
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 29, 2003 - 5:15 pm: | |
Aside from the acceptance of high speed roadways, there is in some countries a considerable pride in driving skill. In my experience in the greater NY metro area, the chief emphasis is not skill or failing that, courtesy in favor of the faster driver, but an "I'll be •••••• if you'll get in front of me" attitude. Knowing what goes around comes around, i have been increasingly demonstrative of courtesies to others on the road, if only to set an example. Of course, in New York, that is a sign of weakness, and a virtual invitation to get steamrolled by a wayward SUV driven by a cellphone yakking midget (aren't they almost always little people behind the wheel of the most unwieldy noncommercial trucks?) on his or her way to the mall. One other thought that the Porsche guys have turned me onto: ELKO. |
Jay P. Ross (Eilig)
Member
Username: Eilig
Post Number: 308
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 29, 2003 - 2:55 pm: | |
Excellent article:
http://biz.yahoo.com/fo/031029/c5818a3280a41852f8a4b6503f323325_2.html
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Dave (Maranelloman)
Advanced Member
Username: Maranelloman
Post Number: 3127
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, October 23, 2003 - 10:59 am: | |
Jay Ross, I agree with your post 100%. Driving the Autobahn, with German drivers, is one of life's ultimate pleasures. Also, I found the same thing on Italy's Autostrada. Despite Italy's reputation for crazed drivers (limited mainly to cities & 1.5 lane mountain roads), the Autostrada drivers were just as skilled & observant & attentive to the cars around them as the Germans, despite a friggin' toll booth every 10 miles, it seemed. |
Mitchel DeFrancis (4re308)
Intermediate Member
Username: 4re308
Post Number: 1122
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, October 23, 2003 - 10:54 am: | |
I remember when I was in Europe in 1989, driving a VW Passat in the middle lane going about 100mph...all of a sudden I had ultra bright lights in my mirror and then a red streak of a Testarossa, must have been going 160-180mph, I just barely caught the Belgian plates. Then a Porsche Turbo went by so fast it scared the heck outta me. But I saw the red car, with his bright lights on coming half a mile away.
It was one of the coolest things I have ever done, besides Scuba and driving Ferraris. |
Jay P. Ross (Eilig)
Member
Username: Eilig
Post Number: 302
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, October 23, 2003 - 10:46 am: | |
I spent most of last month driving over there, and can attest to the PRIDE German people all take in their driving abilities. I hit 192 in the 575M and 180 in the 360 Spider, and never once did I feel like I was in danger. People do stay out of the left lane except to pass, with the exception of in the cities. But then, there are speed limits on the Autobahn in the cities, so it doesn't make any difference there.
The quality of road surface is exceptional. The skill of ALL drivers around you is very high. The design and layout is well conceived. There's no need to worry about an animal running out in front of your car at high speed, because there are 10 foot high fences on both sides. If you have a breakdown, the ADAC is there to assist within 10-15 minutes. Guys, it's just incredible.
For anyone who has never driven the Autobahn, it is one of those "must do in a lifetime" things. I still remember the first time I did, how liberated it felt. Absolutely one of the best things in life. |
Jay Grande (Jay)
Intermediate Member
Username: Jay
Post Number: 1562
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, October 23, 2003 - 10:11 am: | |
Yes and from what I hear the left lane on the autobahn is only for PASSING! What a novel concept! There was a great article in Forza about the F50 on the autobahn. I'm going to dig it up and read it again. |
Mark (Markg)
Member
Username: Markg
Post Number: 626
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, October 23, 2003 - 10:07 am: | |
Interesting show; seems reason Autobahn so safe is Germans take driving seriously (the concept of cup holders and talking on cell phones befuddles them). Roads better built and barriers between lanes prevents head on collisions (Colorado STILL can't figure out this simple fix to prevent head-ons on I-25 between Denver and Colorado Springs....)
The most amazing part was the high speed crash caught on tape from which the occupants walked away from! |
Skip Williamson (Darolls)
Junior Member
Username: Darolls
Post Number: 168
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, October 23, 2003 - 1:28 am: | |
Didn't catch the show, but I've driven the Autobahn a number of times........FANTASTIC! |
Jay P. Ross (Eilig)
Member
Username: Eilig
Post Number: 298
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 - 7:01 pm: | |
Thanks Andy. I caught the last 15 minutes, but wish I would have seen the whole thing. Looks like it won't be replaying again tonight either, bummer. Hope it will replay again soon. |
Andy Klueber (Adk)
New member
Username: Adk
Post Number: 17
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 - 6:05 pm: | |
...Is this. Modern Marvels Doc English Germany's Autobahn has no speed limit, yet is one of the safest roads in the world.
Yours,
Andy K. |