The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Autobahn

Incognito · 29th August 2013, 19:30

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by prakhar1998

What upsets me the most is that, in India we do have a few roads that can offer Autobahn like abilities, but they are not open to high speed driving. The Agra expressway is an example. The road is perfect, it is wide, it is elevated and fenced, it is straight, but it is also legally limited to a 100 Kmh.

Also on the unfenced stretches with near perfect road conditions you cannot afford to relax even the slightest bit as you will soon get a wakeup call in the form of a tractor or a cycle coming your way on the fastest lane.

Figopian · 29th August 2013, 19:49

Incognito, nice writeup. Brought back my memories of a drive on Autobahn, though I was unfortunate not to drive. I was driven by a Frenchman from Donauworth to Munich. We were constantly at 175Kmph and still German cars were zipping past. The Frenchman said he cannot match the speeds of the German, he said they call these cars on autobahn as German missiles

Its an amazing experience, I agree. Next time though, I would like to drive myself.

prakhar1998 · 29th August 2013, 20:58

Well, that is true. I believe stricter norms and better planned roads can help avoid such situations. Till then, we guys need to be more cautious. The truth remains, that hundreds and thousands of deaths take place every year on our roads. Accidents that could easily have been avoided. Stricting the licensing process and imposing heavier fines will definitely help save our precious lives. People in the rural or even the cities seem fearless when they cross the streets with their whole families. Or be it a whole family travelling on a decade old scooter while throwing a huge trail of smoke from its tailpipe.

vinayrathore · 30th August 2013, 12:52

Hi Incognito! Nice writeup and good amount of information on the Autobahn. Adding to what you mentioned, if we talk about Highways in Europe, the rules generally are the same throughout except for a few give and takes here and there. As mentioned in my thread on my Europe roadtrip last year, you seldom realize that you are in a different country, if not for that lone board announcing the border. But by far, Autobahns offer the best high speed driving experience in the world.

SPIKE ARRESTOR · 30th August 2013, 20:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by PapaBravo

Hi Spike, Could help but notice the similarity between the "NO SPEED LIMIT" sign & your avatar.

Yes, you are right.

One more thing worth mentioning, I have noticed, the commuters here in Germany follow lane discipline very well. A lot of accidents in Autobahn are avoided due to this reason. I have not driven in other parts of Europe so I don't know how it is elsewhere.

Spike

senindra · 31st August 2013, 08:37

If you are still around in Essen we could catch up

Incognito · 31st August 2013, 14:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinayrathore

As mentioned in my thread on my Europe roadtrip last year, you seldom realize that you are in a different country, if not for that lone board announcing the border. But by far, Autobahns offer the best high speed driving experience in the world.

Thanks. Read your travelogues. Loved them especially the ones on Europe and Raid de Himalaya. The pictures were stunning. Look forward to read / see more from you.

sjchanda · 1st September 2013, 08:12

Nice write-up Tamoghno. Reminds me of the 85 mph road in the US between San Antonio and Austin known as Pickle Parkway. Was driving there last November in a Chrysler 300.

Incognito · 1st September 2013, 22:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjchanda

Nice write-up Tamoghno. Reminds me of the 85 mph road in the US between San Antonio and Austin known as Pickle Parkway. Was driving there last November in a Chrysler 300.

Thanks and congrats on your maiden post. Why not put up some snaps of the Chrysler 300 as well ...

Parth46 · 2nd September 2013, 19:22

Superb write-up, and a very beautiful place. nice to read about the autobahns of Germany, best roads in the world to drive these beauties at high speed.

TheG2 · 2nd September 2013, 19:38

Fantastic write-up bud. I tried my hand on a jeep and audi when I was there. But I found the German signboards too difficult to decode.

I visit Nuremburg due to work. May be someday we all can have a meet in Germany

Best,

SPIKE ARRESTOR · 2nd September 2013, 22:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheG2

But I found the German signboards too difficult to decode.

I think, the problem is not they are difficult to decode, the real problem is they are just too many. The average driving speeds in these parts are higher compared to India, hence when you encounter so many signs in very short intervals, the processor slows down a bit

. One needs to get used.

Spike

Top-Gear · 3rd September 2013, 12:47

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slate...rom_going.html

If what's in the article will actually be implemented, it will be cold water on the dreams of us auto bahn enthusiasts! :-(

I quote:

Cars That Can't Speed? Why Europeans Might Never Get Another Speeding Ticket.

If you’re a driver in France, or Germany, soon you may not have to worry about getting a speeding ticket ever again. On the other hand, you also may never be on time again. That’s because the European Union is looking to introduce a new law requiring cars to come fitted with technology that would keep drivers from going over the speed limit.

Under the proposal, new cars would come complete with cameras that could read roadside speed limit signs and automatically apply the breaks when a driver goes over the speed limit. Alternatively, the new tech-savvy automobiles can simply have the speed limit beamed directly to the moving car via satellite. In the U.K, for example, that would mean cars could not go more than 70 miles-per-hour.

Europe’s transportation authority wants to install the intelligent speed technology in an effort to cut traffic fatalities by one-third by 2020. More than 30,000 people die, and 1.5 million are injured, on E.U. roads every year, according to the Guardian.

Incognito · 3rd September 2013, 15:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top-Gear

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slate...rom_going.html

If what's in the article will actually be implemented, it will be cold water on the dreams of us auto bahn enthusiasts! :-(

With this kind of technology, seems like the driver will soon be reduced to the status of glorified passenger in the front seat ...

Top-Gear · 3rd September 2013, 17:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Incognito

With this kind of technology, seems like the driver will soon be reduced to the status of glorified passenger in the front seat ...

Yes, I definitely hope that won't happen, it'll be such a kill joy!

On the flip side, if it happens (in Europe), Europeans may go to other parts of the world for the joys of driving!

29th August 2013, 19:49	#17
Figopian BHPian Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pune Posts: 384 Thanked: 130 Times	Re: The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Autobahn Incognito, nice writeup. Brought back my memories of a drive on Autobahn, though I was unfortunate not to drive. I was driven by a Frenchman from Donauworth to Munich. We were constantly at 175Kmph and still German cars were zipping past. The Frenchman said he cannot match the speeds of the German, he said they call these cars on autobahn as German missiles Its an amazing experience, I agree. Next time though, I would like to drive myself.
	() Thanks

29th August 2013, 20:58	#18
prakhar1998 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: London, UK Posts: 303 Thanked: 631 Times	Re: The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Autobahn Well, that is true. I believe stricter norms and better planned roads can help avoid such situations. Till then, we guys need to be more cautious. The truth remains, that hundreds and thousands of deaths take place every year on our roads. Accidents that could easily have been avoided. Stricting the licensing process and imposing heavier fines will definitely help save our precious lives. People in the rural or even the cities seem fearless when they cross the streets with their whole families. Or be it a whole family travelling on a decade old scooter while throwing a huge trail of smoke from its tailpipe.
	() Thanks

30th August 2013, 12:52	#19
vinayrathore BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: DL-9C/KA-01 Posts: 560 Thanked: 502 Times	Re: The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Autobahn Hi Incognito! Nice writeup and good amount of information on the Autobahn. Adding to what you mentioned, if we talk about Highways in Europe, the rules generally are the same throughout except for a few give and takes here and there. As mentioned in my thread on my Europe roadtrip last year, you seldom realize that you are in a different country, if not for that lone board announcing the border. But by far, Autobahns offer the best high speed driving experience in the world.
	(1) Thanks

31st August 2013, 08:37	#21
senindra BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Essen (Germany) Posts: 226 Thanked: 11 Times View My Garage	Re: The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Autobahn If you are still around in Essen we could catch up
	() Thanks

1st September 2013, 08:12	#23
sjchanda Newbie Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Kolkata Posts: 2 Thanked: Once	Re: The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Autobahn Nice write-up Tamoghno. Reminds me of the 85 mph road in the US between San Antonio and Austin known as Pickle Parkway. Was driving there last November in a Chrysler 300. Attached Thumbnails
	(1) Thanks

2nd September 2013, 19:22	#25
Parth46 BHPian Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Bangalore Posts: 375 Thanked: 572 Times	Re: The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Autobahn Superb write-up, and a very beautiful place. nice to read about the autobahns of Germany, best roads in the world to drive these beauties at high speed.
	() Thanks

2nd September 2013, 19:38	#26
TheG2 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Mumbai Posts: 96 Thanked: 71 Times	Re: The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Autobahn Fantastic write-up bud. I tried my hand on a jeep and audi when I was there. But I found the German signboards too difficult to decode. I visit Nuremburg due to work. May be someday we all can have a meet in Germany Best,
	() Thanks

3rd September 2013, 12:47	#28
Top-Gear BHPian Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Mumbai Posts: 205 Thanked: 114 Times View My Garage	Re: The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Autobahn http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slate...rom_going.html If what's in the article will actually be implemented, it will be cold water on the dreams of us auto bahn enthusiasts! :-( I quote: Cars That Can't Speed? Why Europeans Might Never Get Another Speeding Ticket. If you’re a driver in France, or Germany, soon you may not have to worry about getting a speeding ticket ever again. On the other hand, you also may never be on time again. That’s because the European Union is looking to introduce a new law requiring cars to come fitted with technology that would keep drivers from going over the speed limit. Under the proposal, new cars would come complete with cameras that could read roadside speed limit signs and automatically apply the breaks when a driver goes over the speed limit. Alternatively, the new tech-savvy automobiles can simply have the speed limit beamed directly to the moving car via satellite. In the U.K, for example, that would mean cars could not go more than 70 miles-per-hour. Europe’s transportation authority wants to install the intelligent speed technology in an effort to cut traffic fatalities by one-third by 2020. More than 30,000 people die, and 1.5 million are injured, on E.U. roads every year, according to the Guardian.
	() Thanks