Drive on the Autobahn
#1
   
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTlhUhZB3jg

If you're a gear head, chances are you've dreamed of merging onto the legendary Autobahn to try your hand at some of the world's only stretches of road without speed limits.

While the German highway system has a reputation as a no-holds-barred public racetrack where speed limits are left in the dust by BMWs and Porsches weaving in and out of traffic, the Autobahn (translated, "automobile way") is actually quite highly regulated. Laws and traditions ensure a relatively free-flow of traffic and keep accidents and fatalities to a minimum.

Mind the Speed Limits
   

While the most famous stretches of the Autobahn begin with the five diagonal stripes of the round "End all Restrictions" sign, much of the highway system is regulated.

One third of the Autobahn features speed limits between 50 and 80 mph, while speed limits may be even lower in construction zones. Large trucks and cars without appropriate high-speed tires must wear a scarlet letter of shame indicating their own maximum speed limits.

Even the unrestricted areas have a speed advisory: If you're involved in an accident and you were exceeding 80 mph (actually 130 km/h), you (or your estate) may be liable for damages even if you weren't at fault.

Mind your speed and distance

A higher speed than advisable and to little distance to your nemesis are the main killers on the motorway. Rule number one: don't drive faster than you're able to stop. If you can't oversee the distance that you need to stop, you'll be in trouble, big time. Breaking from 210km/h to zero takes a lot of time. Do it a few times, and your brakes will be overheated. Volso's of the Dutch police force have been know to catch fire from overheated brakes at autobahn speeds.

This is not only about the distance between your and the BMW in front of you, it is also the case when overtaking. A LKW (lorry) might overtake the guy in front of him with 80 km/h If you're driving over 200km/h, the last milliseconds of your brake way will be short, indeed.

Take especially care on up-hill roads: trucks tend to overtake with speed lower than 50km/h.

When leaving the autobahn after driving at high speeds, do remember that even seemingly low speed are still excessive high: when driving 120 km/h after a high speed run it seems that your standing still.
Automated Traps

In Europe, computerized "robocops" are used frequently. Remember, human labor is expensive there!

Speed traps are set up on overpasses and in tunnels: a computerized radar gun measures your speed, a camera captures your mugshot and your license plate, and you get a ticket in the mail. If you have a rental car, the rental company will forward the ticket to you and charge your credit card. It's a very expensive photo booth.

Off the Autobahn, the police will often set up a radar trap and radio the offenders to another troop waiting a mile or so further down the road. Car chases don't happen very often. You will find similar Blitzer ("flashers") in the cities mounted to traffic lights. However, these usually track red light offenders.

Know Your Lanes

It's a rule we'd love to see enforced on highways in the US: Pass on the left, drive on the right. If you pass a slow-moving car on the right, both you and the lane-hog will probably get tickets, € 80 each. Drive on the left when the right lane is free, and you'll need the Berlitz Guide to German for Law Enforcement.

Even the emergency lane has one hard and fast rule: no stopping unless it's an actual emergency. You'll even get fined if you run out of gas, since it's a preventable occurrence. Being stupid is no excuse.

Don't Drive Like a Jerk

If you spend any time on the Autobahn, chances are you'll see Audis, BMWs and Mercedes marked Polizei. What you probably won't see are the cameras and unmarked cars searching for hoons passing on the right or aggressively tailgating.

That is, you won't see them until one pulls you over for driving 2 Fast 2 Furious on a public roadway. German law prohibits coercion -- driving that's either aggressive or intended to intimidate other motorists. If you play pace car by hogging the passing lane, weave in and out of heavy traffic, seem to be glued to someone's tail or otherwise drive in an impolite manner, prepare yourself for a hefty fine or even a license suspension. What constitutes as "an impolite manner?" Well, the most innocent hand motion towards another motorist (a wave of the hand with a bright smile on your face) can get you in a lot of trouble if that other motorist decides to report you.

Die Polizei actively monitors roads for tailgaters. They wait with cameras and computers on overpasses - not underneath or next to, but actually on the overpass above the Autobahn - or drive in the unmarked car right behind you. Fines are up to 400 €, depending on the distance and speed. Using your high beams or flash lights to get others out of the way will get you in front of a judge.

And for the love of Gott, don't even think about using a cell phone (unless it's hands-free). It's illegal, your insurance carrier could void your policy if you're caught yakking while driving and the Autobahnpolizei will be sure to look at your phone records if you're involved in an accident. Oddly enough, you may drink your coffee, play with the stereo or do nasty things with your girlfriend while maneuvering through the traffic, though.

Stay Alert

Unlike stretches of roadway in the US where artificially low speed limits anticipate inclement weather or heavy merging traffic, over 2,200 miles of the Autobahn feature "dynamic speed limits" posted on electronic signs that adjust according to traffic flow and weather.

Even if the speed limit is constant (or nonexistent) you'll have to pay attention. That Porsche, not to mention a motorbike, might be a speck in your rear view mirror now, but if it's doing 140 206 on a straightaway you should probably move over before you become a hood ornament.

If you happen to be in that Porsche, note that a short flash of the high beams is an acceptable way to let another driver know you want to pass. The more common method is to flash the *left* turn signal to get someone to move over. However, using the left turn signal over a longer distance or flashing the high beams several times could be punished as coercion - but generally is not, if you keep an adequate safe distance to the car in front of you.

If you encounter an accident scene or stopped traffic, throw on your flashers. That's a technique we'd like to see catch on stateside. After all, there's a reason your European car has a giant hazard light switch on the dash.

Take a Break

Driving at high speeds for long distances requires the utmost concentration. As a result, the Autobahn has an extensive network of rest areas, or Raststätten, with places for a weary driver to rest about every 35 miles. Facilities range from simple parking lots to filling stations to hotels with restaurants that serve alcohol. Still, prices are considerably lower on feeder roads. Watch out for "Autohof", larger service stations located near the Autobahn, but not directly connected to it.
Die Polizei

Picture the scariest and most badass cop you know or have run into. Now multiply that by … well, a lot. That's die Polizei, the German Police, for you. But the cops on the Autobahn are even more badass. Their vehicles are designed for speed: even the motorcycles go 150 mph. And more times than not, you won't even know they are watching you, because their tactics are a lot different (perhaps better) than in the US. Why? Because a large number of Polizei cars on the Autobahn are unmarked, occupied by two plainclothes officers, with hidden cameras recording every single of your offenses, leaving no room for excuses.

When you do something worthy of being pulled over, they will pull in front of you and lift up LED bars in the rear window, telling you what to do: "Polizei - Bitte folgen" ("please follow") or "Polizei - Stopp". Kindly enough, they'll offer to let you watch the video they've made of your havoc driving style. Don't miss it - after all, you have payed the fine, so you should get at least some entertainment in return.

SOURCE
Reply


Forum Jump:


Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)
[-]
Latest Threads
What's One More Iron In The Fire!
Last Post: fram lee666
03-18-2024 06:21 PM
» Replies: 125
» Views: 238080
"Jacobra"
Last Post: JTS71 Mach1
06-30-2023 11:13 PM
» Replies: 86
» Views: 150880
My old Queensland Ambulance
Last Post: JTS71 Mach1
06-30-2023 11:08 PM
» Replies: 5
» Views: 1690
New member from San Jose, CA
Last Post: JTS71 Mach1
05-09-2023 08:39 AM
» Replies: 12
» Views: 3957
Saving Seatbelts
Last Post: Jim
02-19-2023 10:23 PM
» Replies: 2
» Views: 9113
Sourcing new wheels
Last Post: JTS71 Mach1
01-25-2023 02:34 PM
» Replies: 1
» Views: 2002
Shaker Air Filter
Last Post: JTS71 Mach1
01-08-2023 02:24 AM
» Replies: 3
» Views: 1467
1971 Mach 1 parting out interior parts -...
Last Post: ylwhrse
12-22-2022 01:38 PM
» Replies: 0
» Views: 640
Painting
Last Post: Rare Pony
12-14-2022 06:24 PM
» Replies: 2
» Views: 1966
WELCOME ALL NEW MEMBERS INTRODUCE YOURSE...
Last Post: JTS71 Mach1
08-31-2022 01:36 PM
» Replies: 82
» Views: 157036
1970 mach 1 matching numbers
Last Post: Kstweeter
08-31-2022 10:31 AM
» Replies: 1
» Views: 1087
Brake booster/servo hose length
Last Post: JTS71 Mach1
08-23-2022 09:40 AM
» Replies: 7
» Views: 3001
New Member
Last Post: JTS71 Mach1
08-20-2022 11:18 AM
» Replies: 2
» Views: 1499
smooth window operation on 70 Mach
Last Post: CUSTOMMISER
08-15-2022 12:10 PM
» Replies: 2
» Views: 1477
Blinkers on solid
Last Post: busted21
08-09-2022 03:58 AM
» Replies: 14
» Views: 8722
Blinkers on solid when lights on.
Last Post: JTS71 Mach1
08-08-2022 12:06 PM
» Replies: 1
» Views: 1719
351 cj running hot
Last Post: busted21
08-08-2022 12:13 AM
» Replies: 5
» Views: 3404
Major Winter projects
Last Post: JTS71 Mach1
07-09-2022 05:12 AM
» Replies: 49
» Views: 21267
Happy Fathers Day!!!
Last Post: JTS71 Mach1
06-20-2022 02:34 AM
» Replies: 0
» Views: 1685
1969 Raven Black 390 Looking For
Last Post: mason1958
06-11-2022 09:48 AM
» Replies: 10
» Views: 15085

>