There are two things that the German autobahn system has figured out, which I would love to see in the U.S.
1. We already have the signs, but no one seems to get the picture. SLOWER TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT. The left lanes are for passing. It's amazing how much more smoothly traffic flows in Germany, because people abide by this concept. The right lane may be going 100 km/h and someone in the left lane may be going 180 km/h, and it just works. Nothing is worse than being on a 4 lane divided highway and two cars are driving the same speed, right next to each other, making it impossible to pass. OK, OK, two trucks would be worse.
2. Areas with no speed limit. You're not near a city. You're not near a major exit. You're not ascending or descending a mountain or navigating a tricky pass. It's a straight road. You could go faster, but you see some sign telling you otherwise. It's the same sign that you saw during the dangerous areas. At least while traveling in the dangerous areas, you could understand the purpose, but now it's simply mocking you.
My mom was afraid to even drive in Germany. Now she won't hardly ever go less than 160 km/h (100 mph) when the conditions allow it. It just works here in Germany. I wish it worked in the U.S. as well. All we need are some of these signs on those nice straight stretches of highway (it tells you the speed limit has been removed):
I'd also settle for one of these babies:
Here's an actual shot of my mom driving on the autobahn:
Not bad for an 8 passenger van.Hat tip to Google Images for making my work easier.
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