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Does the Autobahn Really Have No Speed Limit?
The German Green party wants to mess with something sacred. They want to introduce a 130kph (80mph) speed limit to the famous Autobahn, well known as being the one place where it’s legal to drive as fast as possible.
The point is to reduce emissions and improve safety, although it’s honestly inconclusive whether the Autobahn is less safe (It’s safer than undivided highways in Germany).
But is it really, actually, true that the Autobahn has no speed limit?
It’s actually a bit more complicated than that.
30% of the Autobahn has Speed Limits
First of all, there are posted speed limits on about 30% of the Autobahn, although not always the same 30%. Speed limits are posted in and near towns, during construction, and in areas where it’s not considered safe to go faster. For example, a speed limit sign in the middle of nowhere probably indicates a major interchange or a dangerous curve.
These speed limits are a black number on a round white sign outlined in red, which is a common speed limit sign in Europe. And they are heavily enforced by unmarked police cars and, primarily, automated roadside radar devices that take a picture of your license plate and mail you a ticket.