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From: knutson@ut-ngp.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: Points to ponder (radar detectors)
Message-ID: <337@ut-ngp.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 7-Jun-83 11:05:53 EDT
Article-I.D.: ut-ngp.337
Posted: Tue Jun  7 11:05:53 1983
Date-Received: Wed, 8-Jun-83 07:19:53 EDT
Lines: 52

After just having returned from touring Europe, I have noticed that there
is a definite difference in attitude there.  First let's consider the
speed limits over there.

It is true that the Autobahns (it is not just one highway) have no 
speedlimit.  The Europeans however seem to be able to drive a little
better than the average American.  For instance, how many times have you
been cruising along at or above the speed limit on a highway and found
someone doing 50 or 45 or 40 ... in the left hand lane when they could
just as easily do it in the right lane.  Noone would dare do that in
Europe for fear of getting hit from behind by someone doing 80-120 MPH.

Another difference is that the roads are physically different.  Unless
you happen to be living in the hillcountry, the roads you are likely to
travel on are very long and very straight and very boring and if that isn't
enough, then there are enough billboards plastered all over the road to
make you sick.  Europe, on the other hand, has very nice roads for driving.
There are NO billboards or advertisements on the roads and, naturally, the
scenery is very nice.  It is rare that you would find a long straight road
so you are constantly kept alert.  If the speed limit must be lowered (to or
below 55) then going to sleep at the wheel would be my only justification.

European traffic signs are also much different.  As you might have guessed,
they are international design signs and I found no trouble understanding 
them.  Speed limits are always 50 KPH (30MPH) in town unless otherwise
posted.  You almost always know who has the right of way through the
priority road signs.  The road signs are different in that you cannot find
your way around by looking for route numbers.  You have to know what the
next town on your route is and head for it, but that was easy to get used
to and I found that it was hard to get lost that way.  Also, they give
you plenty of warning for exits and highway changes on the Autobahn.  How
many times have you been doing 60 and see your exit sign saying you need to
exit in the next 500 feet and your in the left lane?  The Germans almost
always have 3 or 4 signs at 2 Km, 1 Km, 500 m,... to give you enough
warning.

Now, how about the saftey laws?  Well, I think you have to hand it to the
Europeans here (at least the Germans anyway).  Germany has a mandatory seat
belt law.  They also have a law that forbids children under 8 to ride in the
front seat (how often do you get distracted by a child that's playing in the 
front seat?).  As far as I know, there are no car inspection laws, but then
again, what European would let his pride and joy be anything other than mint
condition.  There drunk driving law is very strict.  Try 6 months in jail if
your caught and I believe they confiscate your car too but I am not sure.
There are numerous other safety laws that I was impressed with but can't
remember right now.

All in all, the Europeans seem to know what they are doing.  As far as
Americans are concerned, I think it will be a long time before we get our
act together and it is going to require a change in the American attitude
of driving (from I own this road to I share this road) before the driving
sittuation is any better.