SafeSpeed wrote:
normanevanson wrote:
However, quite probably the greatest omission from this page is the fact that in the time span quoted the number of speed cameras on German roads has increased incredibly, far more so than in the UK.
Really? Evidence for that? Do speed cameras in Germany contribute to licence suspension?
normanevanson wrote:
Can we conclude from this that the decrease in German fatalities is because of the increase in the number of speed cameras. Of course not, that would be following the same "scientific" method as applied on this page.
Of course it's really rather hard to issue the same false safety messages in Germany when deristricted autobahns give the lie to to dangerous notion that the speed limit tells you how fast to drive.
Answers:
Really?
Yes, Really.
Evidence ?
No numbers unfortunately, just personal experience. The things are everywhere here and not big and painted yellow.
Do speed cameras in Germany contribute to licence suspension?
Most certainly. There's a points based system exactly the same as the UK. It's better though as its graduation is better. e.g 0-10 kph over the speed limit is 1 point and a small fine rather than 3 points and £60 (or whatever the value is today) in the UK. Of particualar interest is the red light camera. If you get caught by one and it was over 1/2 second after the light changed then the penalty is a month long driving ban and about 200 EURO fine. However people can choose when to take it, so this normally corresponds with the annual two weeks to Majorca.
<quote>
Of course it's really rather hard to issue the same false safety messages in Germany when deristricted autobahns give the lie to to dangerous notion that the speed limit tells you how fast to drive.
</quote>
When passing into a deristricted zone most people take that as "drive as fast as you can", which agrees totally with the notion that the speed limit tells you how fast to drive. Also, only 1/3 or so of the network is deresticted still. Roadworks and, increasing, noise protection limit most of the network to 120-130 kph. In Rheinland-Pfalz for example all Autobahns are resticted to 130 kph. In any case the federal government recommends a limit of 130kph and I suspect would like to make it a legal limit. However the power of the auto lobby means that would be the end of that particuar government.
Changing the subject slightly, what's incredibly evident on the Continent and particularly Germany where you have many 200kph+ drivers, is that lane dicipline is much much better than in the UK. I live in Germany and fly regularly to the UK for work. I can drive along the A4 to Cologne -Bonn airport at 150-160 kph with little problem even though it's a very busy road, but as soon as I drive on the M11 in the UK there is a long tail of 50-60mph traffic in the outside lane incredibly close to each other with nothing on the inside lane. This shows an appaling lack of driving skills.