German state to introduce Autobahn speed limits

German state to introduce Autobahn speed limits

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Recently, we told you that the newly-elected state government of New South Wales, Australia, has moved to increase the built-in tolerance for its speed cameras. This margin gives drivers some leeway should they exceed the speed limit by a mere few kilometres per hour.

Over in Germany, in the state of Baden-Württemberg, voters have less reason to cheer. Their new state government has announced that stretches of the Autobahn running through the state will imposed with a 120kph speed limit. Unlike the usual reasons ‘speed kills’ mumbo-jumbo, the stated reason for this ruling is to reduce overall vehicle emissions coming from the state. The party currently in power is called the ‘Green Party’, which explains a few things.

The German Autobahn is well-known for being a de-restricted highway, and you can actually be fined if you’re traveling too slowly or if you refuse to give way to a faster vehicle. There are, however, some stretches that are subject to strictly enforced limits, and the advised speed throughout the highway is 130kph. Despite its de-restricted nature, the highway is also noted for its exemplary safety record.

Most of us may not be familiar with the name Baden-Württemberg, but we definitely know its capital – Stuttgart, home to Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. Porsche has declined to comment on this development, but Mercedes is most certainly not amused.

“The fact that our cars are built for high speeds is an important argument in other countries for buying them,” said Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche said in an interview with Stern magazine.

“We’re well advised to maintain the Autobahn sections that don’t have a speed limit,” Zetsche added.

Winfried Kretschmann, the man likely to be installed as B-W’s new state premier countered by saying, “The car industry would definitely have no reason to fear us.”

It has every reason to hate you though.

KON

See also: NSW to increase tolerance of speed cameras

Sources:
Autobahn to get speed limits in Porsche’s home state? – Autoblog
Porsche’s home state may face speed limits after election win for Greens – Automotive News Europe

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