Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!wivax!decvax!harpo!seismo!hao!cires!nbires!ut-ngp!knutson 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.