Talk:German autobahns

Percentage of speed limits?
This document contains an inconsistency. Early on, it is stated that, "Contrary to popular belief, only 40% of the autobahn has an unrestricted speed limit." Later on, it is stated that, "On average, about three fourths of the total length of the German autobahn network has no speed limit" (75%). Which is it? === Jez === 14:16, 2 March 2007 (UTC)
 * I found a German text by the ADAC (German equivalent of the US AAA) which states that 30% of the Autobahn has a permanent speed limit and 17% has a temporary limit (e.g. during rush hour). This could be made into the statement "More than half of the German Autobahn has no speed limit, about one-third has a permanent speed limit of 130 km/h or less." Comments, anyone? --Chrysalis 16:51, 14 April 2007 (UTC)
 * Whoever did this needs to check their math, it now reads "On average, about three quarters of the total length of the German autobahn network has no speed limit, about one quarter has a permanent limit, and the remaining parts have a temporary limit for a number of reasons." What remaining parts? –anamexis talk / contribs 07:26, 31 May 2009 (UTC)

The autobahns formed the first limited-access, high-speed road network in the world -- NOT TRUE
The first such highway was the Southern State Parkway on Long Island, NY. opened in 1926. This was preceded by the Bronx River Parkway in 1925 and there were other precedents, like the Vanderbilt Speedway. See Robert Caro's book, The Power Broker, about Robert Moses.

Robert Abbott 21:49, 15 March 2007 (UTC)Robert Abbott


 * Sorry, but it isn't true. The first limited-access, high-speed road was the AVUS in Berlin/Germany which was opened for public in 1921. PBI, 15:19, 22 May 2007

The key word in that phrase is "network". The above examples are single roads, not a network. --Holderca1 14:01, 28 September 2007 (UTC)


 * Sorry, Sorry, The first production Model T was built on September 27, 1908, at the Piquette Plant in Detroit, Michigan their parking lot was the network and the road coming out of the factory way the first Freeway and the horse and buggy people knew that to stay away. This mass production type freeway had overpasses for the workers to cross over and everything. With the crazy speeds they drove they must of been German immigrants. See Old Films of this in action B&W

--UPGSFounder (talk) 01:08, 13 August 2008 (UTC)


 * Sorry to all below!

Robert Abbott, your statement is "highway" then you speak of parkways. Highways can be both federal and state operated with unlimited access. IE: Route 66 with intersections, driveways and etc. Parkways on the west coast can be a main thorough fair in the city. Expressways for the west, might be like parkways for your area? (with unlimited access) Interstate system (aka) Freeway. Like the Autobahn only has limited access, as in on and off ramps to enter and exit to and from the main traffic way. Speedways implies a race course not open for public travel in general. It is reoccurring (lapped) for the purpose of amusement and a winner! Although you were matched and defeated with the AVUS reference as it is public travel in the off time.

Holderca1, the key word is not "Network"! It is "Limited-access High-speed". State highways are not restricted, Interstates have restrictions like the Autobahn. There is some but rare from my knowledge exceptions to this rule. As I have seen a traffic intersection on I-5 north of Sacramento out in no mans land if you will. Not common on Interstates. All of them as a whole make up a network, like the autobahn, or a rail system is a network of its own.

UPGSFounder, The original Ford Model A was the first car produced by Ford Motor Company, beginning production in 1903. Freeway wasn't part of the vocabulary then! Atleast in that respect. So called roads or trails as they were called primarily use by horse, horse drawn wagons or buggy's!!!

My step father was born in Lincoln, Nebraska in the year of 1917, he traveled to and from Oregon several times in his life as a young man. His first trip to Or. was by wagon, I don't recall him mentioning anything of a freeway...Also he told when he drove his Aunt in his or the family car (age unknown). how she was yelling and hitting him with her purse demanding him to slow down. Top speed he announced was aprox. 15 MPH. Fast for the time....

D.M. Oregon

Additional requirements to use the autobahn
I lived in Germany for a short period of time, and I seem to recall my parent's vehicles had to undergo regular safety checks before they could be used on the Autobahn. I can't put this into the article because I don't know this for sure, but it would be wonderful if somebody had the time to research this. The regular checks could possibly be another reason for the autobahn's good safety record despite the speeds. CobraA1 05:02, 14 April 2007 (UTC)
 * All German vehicles have to undergo regular safety checks, not especially for Autobahn use. For private cars, the check interval is every two years, the first check is done three years after the car is originally sold. Heavy-duty passenger cars (cabs, rental cars) are checked more often. These checks are done by independent institutions (like TÜV, Dekra etc.), not by car dealers or repair shops. The only special restriction for Autobahn use I know of (I am from Germany and have a driving license since 1988) is a minimum design speed of more than 60 km/h for any vehicle, thus preventing small motor bikes, tractors etc. from using the Autobahn. --Chrysalis 16:43, 14 April 2007 (UTC)

Split or Merger?
The part of this article on Germany is almost completely repeated on German Autobahns. I suggest we remove the parts on Germany here, referring to the separate German page, and when similar pages exist for Austria and Switzerland, also to those. Apart from the language, nothing specifically justifies combining the three into one article, I believe. Classical geographer 09:31, 28 May 2007 (UTC)


 * I support a restructure, but believe that Autobahn, as "In most countries, it usually refers to the German autobahn specifically", should cover the German roads only. The majority of links come from German cities anyway. This requires merging in the fork German Autobahns back again, of course, instead of removing the parts on Germany as you suggest. Having an article named Autobahn that does not cover German roads would be rather odd, and a contradiction to the quote above. As on German Wiki, Austrian and Swiss roads can be covered by separate lists. Other roads in non-German language countries are covered by the general Motorway article. -- Matthead discuß!    O       17:09, 28 May 2007 (UTC)


 * Well, that sounds sensible too. Do you know by any chance how Swiss and Austrians call their Motorways? My suggestion was not to leave those two in this article and move only the German stuff out, but rather to disband this complete article and split it up. Your suggestion to move things to Motorway where appropriate sounds like a very good idea, anyway. Classical geographer 19:53, 28 May 2007 (UTC)


 * The Swiss and the Austrians actually call their Motorways/Freeways "Autobahns" because in Austria and Switzerland you buy "Autobahn Vignettes" which are motorway toll stickers. Not only that but the first initial on Austrian Motorways is "A" for Autobahn and the German speaking Swiss say Autobahn as well. So I say this article's title can be left alone. —Preceding unsigned comment added by MKLPTR (talk • contribs) 00:40, 19 December 2007 (UTC)
 * They all speak German, so they have to call them "Autobahn". French speaking Swiss say Autoroute, Italian speaking Autostrada and I don't know what's the term for Romansh speaking Swiss. Admiral Norton (talk) 11:26, 11 July 2008 (UTC)
 * Just like British English and American English, there is also a difference between Austrian, Swiss and German German, for example Austrians say "Jänner", Germans "Januar" for "january". But, being from southern Germany not far from the Lake Constance I can tell for sure Autobahn is called Autobahn in all three states. --91.23.93.79 (talk) 23:35, 29 October 2008 (UTC)
 * Autobahn, Autopista, Autoroute, etc. are actually the same type of road, which is called “motorway” in English. There are minor differences but that's because they are located in different countries not because the language is different. Just compare a German Autobahn to an Austrian Autobahn (same word/language, quite different) and then compare a Swiss Autobahn to a Swiss autoroute (different languages, same country).
 * IMO, autobahn should be a redirect to Motorways in Germany; autobahn (disambiguation) should also list articles about motorways in other countries where German is an official language.
 * The current Autobahn article should be merged into motorway, motorways in Gemany, motorways in Austria and motorways in Switzerland. —  3 2 4 7    (talk) 19:37, 9 January 2009 (UTC)

It is time to action this proposal, which appears from the foregoing discussion to have a degree of consensus. All of the above comment-writers have been invited to add final comments, and a general invitation has been issued at the foot of this talk page. The split proposal should be actioned or abandoned in one week from today.Nankai (talk) 21:25, 15 January 2011 (UTC)

Please add your final comments on the split proposal here (Please include the words "support" or "oppose" in your comment to make your opinion clear):
 * I support the proposal. Wikipedia is not a dictionary and the point of this page's existence is based on linguistics, not engineering; an Autobahn is not in concept distinct enough from a freeway to warrant a separate article. Wikipedia would not have an article called Eisenbahnen but does have ones called Rail transport in Germany, Rail transport in Switzerland etc.Nankai (talk) 21:25, 15 January 2011 (UTC)
 * Nankai, thanks for revisiting this old debate. I fully agree with your point; we disband Autobahn, moving its contents to the German, Austrian, Swiss or whatever appropriate national article; and then we make the Autobahn article just a redirect to Motorway. Classical geographer (talk) 22:35, 15 January 2011 (UTC)

Missing source citation
"Moreover, recent accident statistics supposedly don't lend proof that traveling at high speeds is that much more dangerous."

What source supports this claim?

It's an odd statement. Statistics have demonstrated for decades that Autobahn-like roads are safer, faster, and more fuel-efficient than other roads (that's why they're built), so it isn't just "recent...statistics". International comparison shows this holds regardless of posted speed limits. So, given reasonable traffic, weather, etc, you're safer at 75-mph on a freeway than 35-mph on urban streets because most dangers have been "engineered out": no cross traffic, no opposing traffic, no trees/poles near the roadway, no pedestrians, no sharp turns, etc. I've revised the statement. Duke Ganote 06:55, 31 October 2007 (UTC)

Traffic Regulations/Overtaking
After living in Germany for 28 years, I've always understood that one is NOT allowed to use to horn or flash the headlights as a signal for intended overtaking. Firstly, any indication of an intended manover (in any country I know of) presupposes that the way is already free for such a manoeuvre. Secondly, trying to force someone out of your way by threatening them (Nötigung) is a crime, which is punishable in extreme cases with up to five years imprisonment. The only acceptable signal for overtaking ANYWHERE in Germany is the use of the turn signal lamp (indicator if your British). It is not permitted to use the horn or flash the headlights unless danger is present or caution is required.

If anyone knows any differently, I wouild like to hear about it. If not I suggest that the sentence be revised or removed.

85.22.11.35 18:47, 27 June 2007 (UTC)


 * see the note in the article referring to §5 (5) of the German traffic regulations (Link) (German text) - it allows for use of horn and/or flashlights outside cities to signal the intention of overtaking. I am pretty sure though that the common behavior on left lanes of German Autobahns is NOT what is meant by this paragraph, but only on standard streets to warn the slower vehicles to avoid sudden change of speed or be frightened by the overtaking vehicle. Unfortunately, this is clarified nowhere. --Chrysalis 19:21, 27 June 2007 (UTC)


 * Thank you. I stand corrected. It obviously does not mean the typical aggressive continuous flashing as performed by some idiots :-)

85.22.31.165 13:28, 28 June 2007 (UTC)

HIGH-BEAM ISSUE PER ABOVE The momentary flash of a vehicles high-beam, is done to *improve the alert-warning issued to traffic of ahead*, of your intention to overtake.

It arrives to the world, owing various "United Nations Conventions on Road Traffic, Road Signs & Signals". This allowance remains active for contracting states-parties, and remains in-force in that Convention. Its use is 'optional', but is ideal for high-speed roads, particularly to better alert 'the inattentive' among us. Indicators are to be used fully per normal requirement. The allowance does not allow for aggressive flashing.

DERESTRICTION SIGN Reference to the 'DERESTRICTION' sign in this article has mild error. This sign as pictured, AND ITS DERIVATES SHOWING A SOLID DIAGONAL BAND etc, is catalogued in the "United Nations Convention on Road Traffic, Road Signs & Signals" as a - "C,17a". Its meaning; "END OF ALL LOCAL PROHIBITIONS IMPOSED ON MOVING VEHICLES".

It DOES NOT mean 'National Speed-Limit', nor is it to represent a 'recommended speed-limit'. It is NOT to be used to represent a 'posted numerical speed-limit' nor a 'DEFAULT SPEED-LIMIT' - so used to apply to a length of road, when no speed-limit sign is otherwise posted, despite what certain public service employees in contracting nations Transport Divisons might say. Most have simply 'forgotten' over the decades where this sign arrives from and its contracted requirements. Its history dates back to 1922 that I can tell, its meaning uniform since that time.

IF a speed-limit is to be introduced on a length of speed-derestricted highway, then THE SIGN *MUST* FIRST BE REMOVED for that to take effect.

The sign MUST NOT be used BY ANY NATION - UNLESS; it accepts its meaning as carrying 'no absolute maximum'. States Parties CAN however restrict the top-speed of certain drivers, for application when passing this sign by use of "LICENSE CATEGORY" or "VEHICLE CATEGORY" speed-limits.

For example; a nation might apply a 100km/h top-speed for say Probationary drivers, or a 100km/h maximum for heavy vehicles over XX Tonnes GVM, and so on.

To date: GB and NZ (with WA in AUS tidying-up) are in technical default of this signs international meaning. Jeremy H. Pritchard mot.adv@internode.on.net MotAdv-NSW AUS —Preceding unsigned comment added by 121.44.23.103 (talk) 03:14, 5 November 2007 (UTC)

Speed Limits - Germany
"On average, about three quarters of the total length of the German autobahn network has no speed limit, about one quarter has a permanent limit, and the remaining parts have a temporary limit for a number of reasons."

So this means ~75% has no limit, ~25% has a permanent limit and ~0% has a temporary limit? I think this could be worded a bit more clearly. Especially as I don't understand it. --711groove 04:26, 7 November 2007 (UTC)
 * There is a discussion at the top of this page, which quotes different percentages. Probably somebody was so confused that the percentages got totally mixed up. Maybe someboday can actually find a source for these figures? Classical geographer 13:27, 7 November 2007 (UTC)

Advisory speed limit and insurance
On another note, a sentence was anonymously deleted referring to reduced insurance coverage after accidents at speeds above the advisory speed imit (asl), the delete being done on account of "there's no proof for that" (!). There's no law, but there's enough court rulings splitting the responsibility after accidents above asl. Also, there's court rulings to the contrary. It seems to depend on circumstances, which might include the actual court. 85.179.193.87 - log in. And regarding above issue, read german forums on said question, e.g. www.123recht.de --KapHorn (talk) 08:57, 7 September 2009 (UTC)
 * If the situation is that unclear, the sentence should reflect that — the wording "might" is not sufficient. This needs of course be referenced with reliable sources, and forums won't do. Until then, the sentence should be removed as ambiguous and unsourced. -- Michael Bednarek (talk) 09:24, 7 September 2009 (UTC)
 * the forum is not supposed to be a source, but as possible read for those interested. Besides, feel free to suggest a suitable source. So far, the simplest would be referring to the german Wikipedia. Unfortunately, there's no source given, either. Other than that - I'm open to constructive criticism. As in, providing a better, maybe even english source. I would deem it an important issue that while driving faster than 130 km/h is allowed, despite that there can be liability issues. So something should be said on that in the article. Interesting read, too, might be a verdict by the BGH: http://www.ejura-examensexpress.de/online-kurs/entsch_show_neu.php?Alp=1&dok_id=4067 KapHorn (talk) 09:54, 9 September 2009 (UTC)

Unreferenced source
I've added [citation needed] after "A 2005 study by the German Interior Ministry".

I've been looking for that study for hours, but the only reference I can find is that very sentence on this page. Does that study exist? If we know of it, it must have been published somewhere. If it is not available on the Internet, there must be a reference to the book/bulletin/whatever where it first appeared publicly. Such a strong claim cannot be kept without a clear and verifiable reference. (MasterMan 21:29, 7 November 2007 (UTC))
 * You're quite right, it's impossible to find. That might be because it's the Ministry of Traffic rather than the Ministry of the Interior; or because it's not the Bundesministerium but rather a Ministry of one of the individual Länder. The only reference I've found is a newspaper article that reports the ADAC as claiming a speed limit does not lower the accident rate (http://www.welt.de/politik/article1307204/Die_CDU_setzt_der_SPD_ein_Tempolimit.html) but then that doesn't quote any source either... Maybe the claim should be removed for the moment. Classical geographer 10:08, 8 November 2007 (UTC)

Sentence Removal
I've removed the following sentence from the article: "In Switzerland trucks are forces to you the train more and more, this is to free up space on the autobahn and reduce the pollution."

The sentence is poorly formed in English, enough so that it doesn't make sense. Also, it sounds like opinion and is not cited. If the wording can be cleaned up and the opinion cited, feel free to revert.

Jamesfett (talk) 11:08, 13 March 2008 (UTC)


 * Actually, Switzerland has banned lorry transit (i.e. no destination within Switzerland) traffic altogether. When you come to Basel, you will notice the signs directing lorries to the railway station. As this ban includes all road categories, it does not belong here and I my opinion should remain left out. Also, saves me the effort to find the relevant laws on the net :-) 195.14.232.227 (talk) 15:58, 2 September 2009 (UTC)

Wrong explanation speed limit
Wrong: "The recommended speed of the German autobahn is 130 km/h (81 mph), but there is no speed limit." It's not a recommended speed, but an advisory speed limit. --88.77.24.53 (talk) 22:50, 2 August 2008 (UTC)

"Freeways of the Reich"
Instead of "Freeways of the Reich", "Imperial Freeway(s)" would be more appropriate. "Freeways of the Reich" would mean "Autobahnen des Reichs" which wouldn't be a very "streamlined" phrasing in German. Also it is often associated to the Third Reich although the serious plannings for the Autobahn already started in the mid-twenties. So I recommend changing this phrase. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.217.127.16 (talk) 22:09, 21 September 2008 (UTC)
 * Yet 'imperial' has all kinds of other associations (Romans, Victorians), and I don't think a translation should necessarily be required keep the word order intact across languages. Classical geographer (talk) 07:20, 25 September 2008 (UTC)

According to the German Wikipedia, the Autobahns were originally labeled "Kraftwagenstraße" and not "Kraftfahrtstraße". The English literal translation automobile road, however, is correct. I suggest changing this. -- Darth_Yoda —Preceding unsigned comment added by 91.63.106.140 (talk) 09:53, 25 September 2008 (UTC)
 * Feel free to change it! Classical geographer (talk) 13:24, 25 September 2008 (UTC)

_____ If 'Federal Motorway' is the transliteration of 'Bundesautobahn', then is 'Imperial Motorway' the correct transliteration of 'Reichsautobahn'. _____ —Preceding unsigned comment added by 178.25.17.16 (talk) 20:28, 4 June 2010 (UTC)

Duplication Removal
Could someone with the necessary standing remove the sentence "The North-South Autobahnen are odd-numbered, the East-West ones are even-numbered." as it is a duplication of information in a previous paragraph. Thanks - 60percent (talk) 16:04, 2 January 2009 (UTC)

Unclear sentence
"On average, about three quarters of the total length of the German autobahn network has no speed limit, about one quarter has a permanent limit, and the remaining parts have a temporary limit for a number of reasons."

Say what? After the three quarters (75%) of no speed limit and the one quarter (25%) of a permanent limit, there are no remaining parts to have a temporary limit? Plrk (talk) 12:23, 2 March 2009 (UTC)

Pronunciation
Could somebody (preferably German) please corroborate the recorded pronunciation given at the start of the page? It doesn't seem to correspond (in my mind, at least) to the IPA pronunciation it follows and instead sounds more like the English pronunciation. LaFoiblesse 2009-05-12 11:28 (GMT)
 * Sounds perfectly German to me (I was born there and lived there for the first 30-odd years of my life). The second vowel, o, is possibly a bit short in his pronunciation, but it's definitely not English. The greatest difference would be the first vowel, "Au" — in English it sounds like "ought", in German like the Englsih word "out". Michael Bednarek (talk) 13:52, 12 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Well, my concern is that I feel the first vowel sounds very much like "ought" but perhaps this is just my ill-attuned English ear. Thank you for checking. LaFoiblesse 2009-05-12 18:27 (GMT)
 * You can hear the pronunciation here: http://forvo.com/search/autobahn/ -- Nabrufa (talk) 16:15, 29 July 2009 (UTC)

Safety/speed
we should include the fact, that although avarage speeds are unparalelled and the majority of autobahnen have no speedlimit, the accident rate or 'relative' safety, is about the same or even better then for example in the USA(boy those poor bastards really have to drive slow) or other countries with strict speedlimits, thus hinting at the fact that safety does not nacesarily have to do anything with how fast ppl drive

my 2 pennies

Guten Tag from Hannover! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 87.154.165.164 (talk) 07:47, 25 May 2009 (UTC)
 * I've taken the liberty of adding a heading to your comment. This is already mentioned in the article.LaFoiblesse 2009-05-27 14:50 (GMT)

Remove/Replace Vulgar Edit
There is inappropriate material in the first sentence of section 1 Construction, 1.1 Germany: "Just like all European asswholes that suck dick..."

--Ajacxx (talk) 19:25, 18 June 2009 (UTC)
 * So remove/revert it yourself asap. Also, there's no need to copy the vulgar words here. -- Matthead Discuß   19:31, 18 June 2009 (UTC)
 * OH NO! VULGAR WORDS ON A DISCUSSION PAGE! CALL THE MORALITY POLICE 'MATTHEAD'! Antic-Hay (talk) 04:30, 21 August 2009 (UTC)

minimum speed
Minimum Speed: vehicles have to be faster than 60 km/h --> vehicles have to drive at least 61 km/h to be ran on a autobahn.

Autobahn (, plural Autobahnen) is the German word for a major high-speed road restricted to motor vehicles capable of driving at least 60 km/h (37 mph) and having full control of access, similar to a motorway or freeway in English-speaking countries.

Emergency lane
The Traffic laws and enforcement section says: "In case of a traffic jam, the drivers must form an emergency lane to ensure emergency services can reach the scene of a possible accident. This lane must be formed between the left lane and the lane next to the left lane (i.e., between the two leftmost lanes)." I've never seen this happen - although I admit I'm not a frequent visitor, I have sat in several traffic jams on the autobahn network. This sounds improbable as a permanent requirement, especially as there is often an emergency lane/hard shoulder that can be used for exactly the same purpose. Astronaut (talk) 01:29, 30 August 2010 (UTC)
 * However improbable, that's how it actually happens. While it is supposed to happen anytime the traffic is standing, mostly the lane only gets formed if an emergency vehicle is actually approaching. (For instance if the hard shoulder is blocked by another emergency vehicle or because of a secondary accident/breakdown). -- Marcika (talk) 00:30, 12 October 2010 (UTC)

Spelling
I've just corrected the word "Kraftfahrtstraße", which is written with one "t" less: Kraftfahrstraße. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.253.227.89 (talk) 17:25, 12 January 2011 (UTC)

Time to close Split discussion
There has been plenty of time for discussion at Talk:Autobahn (higher up on this Talk page)on whether Autobahn should be split to articles Motorways of Switzerland and German Autobahns. The proposal was made a very long time ago and appears to have gained a reasonable amount of support. It is now time to bring the discussion to a close. Please add your final comments at Talk:Autobahn so the proposal can be actioned or abandoned. Thanks, Nankai (talk) 21:12, 15 January 2011 (UTC)
 * It's been one week; I be'ed bold.Nankai (talk) 07:09, 22 January 2011 (UTC)