It is true that the lack of a blanket speed limit on Autobahns is cherished by many as one of the last true freedoms Germans have left to enjoy. But as questionable as that may seem, fact is, German Autobahns are among the safest in all of the European Union, if not the developed world. People drive fast, but roads as well as cars are more often than not in excellent condition. Because Autobahn culture has become deeply engrained in the German motorist’s psyche, they know that once they are on the on-ramp, they need to pay extremely close attention to surrounding traffic. In a way, they become pilots controlling refined pieces of machinery, rather than mom and pop on their sunday afternoon jaunt in their hoop-dee.

For decades now, emission control and fuel efficiency have been cited as key reasons why there is a need for a general speed limit. In reality, however, only about 2 percent of all German roads have no speed limit; more than half of all stretches of the nation’s Autobahn grid of over 48,000 kms (29,600 mls) either have a fixed speed limit already or computer controlled traffic guiding systems with variable speed limits depending on current traffic, road and weather conditions. The remaining 5000-odd kilometers of unregulated Autobahn are typically so crowded during most of the day that speeds in excess of 150 kph (92 mph) cannot be reached anyway. And in all likelyhood, a 130 kph speed limit would have most people driving 150 wherever possible anyway. With all that in mind, it becomes very obvious that as far as CO2 emission and the environment, litte would actually be accomplished.

So what would be accomplished by a blanket speed limit of 130 kph? The SPD has recently had big trouble getting back scores of voters flocking to the Green party and the newly-formed left-wing socialists, for a variety of reasons. Although the bang of the backfire could be heard all over Germany this past weekend, it was hoped that an ideology-laden hot-button issue like the speed limit would bring them back and boost the SPD’s record-low poll ratings. Given the stiff, outspoken opposition the proposal has faced from many sides within just the last few days, it is very likely that the idea will not only be shelved, but because of that become yet another symbol of the SPD’s inability to tackle and follow through controversial political issues.