Posted on 10/30/2007 7:49:06 PM PDT by ButThreeLeftsDo
The German Chancellor has snubbed the country’s green lobby, after she ignored calls for speed limits on Germany’s motorways.
Yesterday it looked as if the 80mph blanket speed limit would be implemented, as the Socialist Party voted in favour of it during a key party congress.
But, in an interview today the Chancellor, Angela Merkel spoke out, insisting that she would stand against the speed limit, despite the vote being won by members of her own coalition party.
Merkel stated on German television: “It won’t happen with me”.
Concern for the environment has prompted a renewed inspection of the de-restricted road network. Vehicles travelling at high speed produce more damaging greenhouse gases, as their engines work harder to maintain the pace.
Merkel acknowledges this but argues that traffic jams produce more harmful emissions than fast drivers, and sees better traffic management as the path towards a greener future.
The 80mph initiative is a political gamble – many Germans see the introduction of such speed limits as a personal infringement on their cultural liberties. It also risks causing upset within the hugely important German car industry, renowned for building high-performance vehicles honed to perform on the de-restricted tarmac.
At present half of the 12,000km Autobahn network has no speed limit, with drivers regularly exceeding 100mph.
Recently they have come under fire though, particularly from green politicians and spectators, who criticise the increased levels of emissions created by high-speed driving.
Only a few days ago Nobel Prize winner Al Gore criticised the Autobahn during a climate change conference in Berlin.
Earlier in the year, EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas suggested introducing a speed limit, receiving little response in Berlin.
Re-branding it as Climate Change™
The greenies are rising up in Germany! Al Gore must be proud/
Yep, protect the environment; and ignore the people.
I followed an undercover magnum at 90 last week for 80 miles. (He blue-lighted me briefly when I passed him and I respectfully let him have the lead :^). ) This is so silly.
I agree
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
There is nothing the left won't envy. Someone acting out on their speed envy by plugging the fast lane is the leading cause of road rage. Envy is Satan's most prolific assistant.
No, you got it wrong, it’s “Protect the environment and screw the people”.
Where a second or two later a Bimmer or Mercedes would be on my rear blinking his freaking lights.
They really don't like it when you make an OK sign and put your finger through it.
-ccm
You’re right... I spent 3 years in Germany in the late 60’s, (AF). They tried to impose speed limits then, it failed, except around the old Darmstadt/Frankfort area. I loved the “bahn”; there I was, 24 yo, new Alfa Romeo GTV, and full of ‘vinegar’...Life was GREAT...
I’ve lived in Germany for 13 years as an American. The chance of a speed limit occurring is virtually zero. When you look at BMW, Mercedes and Porsche ...their entire line of cars would go down immediately if you can’t use the car to maximum potential.
And the chancellor has an excellent point. Almost 40 percent of the autobahn’s in Germany...have a speed limit (between 100 kph and 130 kph). Another ten percent are under construction/renovation...so they are set to 60 kph and lessen the speed yet again. So you only have half of the autobahns in Germany where max speed is possible...and most are in the wide-open areas where traffic isn’t that big of a issue.
Schnell fahren macht frei !!
God bless this dear lady.
Somebody give her a Lingenfelter.
i used to travel to Europe on business a lot in the 80s and early 90s....always rented from a topline private source near the Frankfurt airport.....
Ferraris....328s and one 512
all Porsches...several were RUF tuned...
fancy Mercedes
Audis not sold here
even twin turbo Ford rally cars in convertible that would haul ass
I hit close to 300 tween Fusen and Stuttgart once.....was driving from Frankfurt to Bern/Basel around Colmar or Freiburg once doing 230 or so in steady rain in a 560 SEC AMG and a 959 blew by us like we were standing still
man....my boys would love a trip like that...lol...my brother is getting a supercharger on his Z06.....that would be a fun car there
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