The Autobahn

The Autobahn has been famous for its speed freedom for years. The name Autobahn means high speed motor-way. The highway lies between Wiemar and Berlin. It is one of the worlds largest super highway systems, second only to the United States. Construction of the Autobahn began in 1929 and has grown rapidly (even with the help of Hitler) ever since. In 1990 the Autobahn was calculated to have 11,000 miles of highway. This road system generates not only tourism and the need for hotels and attractions, but the need for people to serve as employees, thus helping Germanys economy greatly. Germans view the ability to drive as fast as they want as not only their freedom, but their right.

The European Union wants to enforce a standard speed limit on all european highways. That's not the only thing threatening the beloved Autobahn. Growing concerns with the environment and global warming due to carbon dioxide is just as relevant as the expensive gas prices. Traffic related death is also a heated issue. All of these growing problems might be swaying the German population. Polls now show that 52% are for the speed reduction and 45% are against the idea.

In 1973 the Autobahn was given the speed limit of 100 kilometers per hour, which the government retracted only four months later. 12,000 miles of the Autobahn already have speed limits while about 40% of the highway have either speed limits or suggestions. About 4.970 miles are left for driving at your own discretion. It is illegal to talk on a cell phone while driving on the Autobahn and Germany is below other countries when it comes to traffic related deaths. As for pollution, studies suggest that if a speed limit of 120 kilometers per hour was enforced, it would reduce Germany's carbon dioxide pollution by three million tons a year ( a measily 0.3%).

While fixing minor problems might seem like a preventative measure, it might actually end up hurting the economy. The Autobahn is used not only as a tourist site, but also as a marketing tool and a test site for millions of popular car companies that would like to show what their car is truley made out of. What better way is there to test it than to drive on the Autobahn? Most Germans feel like if it isn't broken, you don't need to fix it. They feel like driving on this highway system is their freedom and right.

Mark Landler. "Talk of Speed Limits on Autobahn Revs up Germans." International Herald Tribune. URL: http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/03/16/news/journal.php.