Fun on the Autobahn

[scannon]

No one passes on the right in Germany, right?

 

The Autobahn between Stuttgart and Munich

 

Date: February 10, 2016 at 8:23:15 PM EST

 

1. The rear view mirror in the video is maddening.

 

2. The speedometer is visible just over the center of the steering wheel and a bit to the right. The highest I saw it register was 278 kilometer per hour (@173 mph)

 

HANG ONTO YOUR SEAT.

 

Audi races motorcycles on the Autobahn. Neat video. In Germany, the Autobahn between Stuttgart and Munich is used by the auto industry for their high speed test tracks. The Germans have three types of divided highways, limited access, freeways, and the Autobahn.

 

All have Speed limits except the Autobahn. The thing that surprised me was, at least the last time I was there, you are not allowed to pass on the right, which both the motorcycles and the Audi did in the video. The highest speed traffic is to be in the left lane and if you are overtaking another vehicle you are to flash your lights and the other vehicle is to move to the right allowing you to pass. This will give you your Go Fast high for the day. The guy in the Audi is nuts and the guy on the bike makes the Audi guy look sane.

 

http://Http://www.youtube.co/watch_popup?v=Y2HKBQMQmbw#t=116

[Croc]

Correct Skip.

 

When I was driving from Frankfurt to Magny Cours/Dijon via Mulhouse last May, I was able to get my Audi A8 up to an indicated 160mph (probably a true 150mph) on the autobahns. However, I stayed in the right lane and used my headlights frequently. I found the drivers being overtaken very alert and quick to move over. I cannot recall any time when cars dawdled in the left lane. That video was weird as the behavior of the traffic was very "un-German" from my many driving experiences there.

 

Ah...just went to boobtube and noticed it was filmed on a Brazillian highway in 2011. That makes more sense as the lady was not speaking German.

Edited May 12, 2016 by Croc

[Kitcat]

I think that Audi driver had his car at one of our USA7S track events at NJMP a while back:). Same driving "style" at least....

[scannon]

Ah...just went to boobtube and noticed it was filmed on a Brazillian highway in 2011. That makes more sense as the lady was not speaking German.

 

Damn, its getting so you can't believe anything you see on the internet anymore.

 

In 1987 I got stuck in a long line of left lane cars on the Autobahn headed by an American GI in a Firebird doing about 85 mph. I was the only car that pulled into the middle lane to pass him. I tried to signal to him to move over but he flipped me off. As long as I could see them in the mirrors no one else did a right side pass. The fast lane was clear for quite awhile for me after that. I cruised at 125 mph and that wasn't fast enough for the left lane but overtaking cars flash their head lights giving plenty of time to move over.

[Off Road SHO]

Corners are too sharp for the Autobahn I think.

 

Tom

[Warren Nethercote]

On the other hand, I was driving on the Autobahn from Bremen to Koblenz 10 or 15 years ago on a summer holiday Sunday: for the first hour or so on the Autobahn no lane got above 50kph .... but later on it was different. :-)

[slomove]

Since I grew up over there (in Germany, not Brazil), I got kind of used to the style of driving but honestly since I moved to the States I appreciate the more relaxed style here (yes, even in Los Angeles).

 

The times when you can really open up and drive fast are nowadays very rare or on remote stretches, many Autobahn segments do have speed limits and when I am over there I am getting a bit tired of the aggressive attitude of many drivers.

 

For that matter, while common, flying in from behind on the left lane flashing the lights wildly or tailgating is technically illegal as coercion and can be fined if they get you (I think a quick flash as a move-over reminder may be O.K.).

 

The other problem that leads quite frequently to accidents is not the speed itself but the vast speed difference between the slowest folks and the fastest drivers (compared to everybody driving around 75mph her in LA). But passing on the right side is indeed not allowed and very unusual (which I find stupid as well). The only time you are allowed to pass on the right is when you have cars lined up in each lane and the right lane happens to go moderately faster.

[escondidoron]

There are speed limits on many sections of the Autobahn. Especially in urban areas or where there are crosswind conditions. But there are also many significant open road stretches. The open road sections are why European cars (and German cars in particular) tend to have excellent brakes. At 300kph the lorries in the right lanes are pretty scary if they decide to pull out to pass. They are governor limited to 100kph.

[Warren Nethercote]

Back to passing on the right ..... it is commonly forbidden in Europe. In England (where it is passing on the left of course) it results in a dangerous driving charge - as Slomove noted, the one exception is when the traffic is heavy and moving continuously 'in lanes,' without gaps.