Traffic Commission Suggestions

The German goverment often appoints commissions to tell them what they should be doing (you can't trust those stupid citizens who want to suggest improvements).

So there's been this traffic and car commission that's been active, as Focus (the German news magazine) reports the story.  The "National Platform Future of Mobility" commission came to a couple of ideas.

First, they say that all diesel and gas fuel taxes....should be even.  If you haven't been to Germany, we run this odd taxation system.  For decades, diesel fuel has been roughly 15 to 20 cents cheaper a liter, than regular gas. 

Diesel car owners probably won't be happy about this suggestion, and it's likely that this will be a pretty simple thing for politicians to latch onto and accomplish.

Second, which is the more painful idea.....bring all speed limits in Germany down to 130 kph (80 mph). 

If you've traveled on the German autobahn system, you will remember that about 25-percent of autobahn system is speed-regulated (usually in dense metropolitan area or in mountainous regions).  The rest of the country is unlimited (well, they mean that you can drive at any speed, which you consider safe).  This safe aspect usually means if it's raining....you need to reduce the speed down to 100 kph or less. 

Getting the German public to accept this limit idea?  No.  If you go and ask a hundred Germans over the age of 18.....probably sixty-percent or more will question  a reduction in the national speed limit.  At least a third of the nation would go along with 130 kph, and they probably already travel at this speed anyway.

So this is the odd thing that you will come to notice on German autobahns.  A fair number of Germans kinda stay in the range of 100 kph to 120 kph.  I'll be driving the wife's TT (easily capable of 200 kph) and on some stretch.....she will 'yank' on my concentration to comment that the 100 kph (62 mph) that I'm driving.....is a ridiculous speed.  I'll gaze around and just note that some folks are passing me, but a number of drivers are staying near the 100 to 120 kph range.

Those driving at a reckless high speed?  You will find those driving at 140 to 160....maybe occasionally....even 200 kph.  But there just aren't that many.

Would the speed limit change affect much of anything?  I have my doubts.  There's also the other side of this coin....if it makes sense to lessen this speed on the autobahn.....why not lessen B-roads (limited to 100 kph) to 80 kph at night? 

This discussion probably won't go far, but it'll be entertaining to have some CDU political figure argue with a Green Party guy over this idea.