knutson@ut-ngp.UUCP (06/07/83)
After just having returned from touring Europe, I have noticed that there is a definite difference in attitude there. First let's consider the speed limits over there. It is true that the Autobahns (it is not just one highway) have no speedlimit. The Europeans however seem to be able to drive a little better than the average American. For instance, how many times have you been cruising along at or above the speed limit on a highway and found someone doing 50 or 45 or 40 ... in the left hand lane when they could just as easily do it in the right lane. Noone would dare do that in Europe for fear of getting hit from behind by someone doing 80-120 MPH. Another difference is that the roads are physically different. Unless you happen to be living in the hillcountry, the roads you are likely to travel on are very long and very straight and very boring and if that isn't enough, then there are enough billboards plastered all over the road to make you sick. Europe, on the other hand, has very nice roads for driving. There are NO billboards or advertisements on the roads and, naturally, the scenery is very nice. It is rare that you would find a long straight road so you are constantly kept alert. If the speed limit must be lowered (to or below 55) then going to sleep at the wheel would be my only justification. European traffic signs are also much different. As you might have guessed, they are international design signs and I found no trouble understanding them. Speed limits are always 50 KPH (30MPH) in town unless otherwise posted. You almost always know who has the right of way through the priority road signs. The road signs are different in that you cannot find your way around by looking for route numbers. You have to know what the next town on your route is and head for it, but that was easy to get used to and I found that it was hard to get lost that way. Also, they give you plenty of warning for exits and highway changes on the Autobahn. How many times have you been doing 60 and see your exit sign saying you need to exit in the next 500 feet and your in the left lane? The Germans almost always have 3 or 4 signs at 2 Km, 1 Km, 500 m,... to give you enough warning. Now, how about the saftey laws? Well, I think you have to hand it to the Europeans here (at least the Germans anyway). Germany has a mandatory seat belt law. They also have a law that forbids children under 8 to ride in the front seat (how often do you get distracted by a child that's playing in the front seat?). As far as I know, there are no car inspection laws, but then again, what European would let his pride and joy be anything other than mint condition. There drunk driving law is very strict. Try 6 months in jail if your caught and I believe they confiscate your car too but I am not sure. There are numerous other safety laws that I was impressed with but can't remember right now. All in all, the Europeans seem to know what they are doing. As far as Americans are concerned, I think it will be a long time before we get our act together and it is going to require a change in the American attitude of driving (from I own this road to I share this road) before the driving sittuation is any better.
davew@tekecs.UUCP (06/09/83)
The reason Europeans move to the right when approached from
the rear by a faster car is that's the law. Even in countries
with speed limits, like Holland that has a 100 kph speed limit
on its snellwegs (fast ways), they still require the slower
car to move over even if traveling at the speed limit. In
other words if the other guy wants to break the law, let him,
we'll get him up the road a ways with our Porsche Targa Politie
Auto. It's not your job to be a traffic cop, just drive good.
I'd like to see a similar law in this country.
Dave Williams
Tektronix, Inc.
ECSpn@amd70.UUCP (06/10/83)
Ever see those signs (at least in California) which say: SLOWER TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT (or something like that) Anyway, I think there are already laws like that, but the motoring public doesn't know about or respect them.
wesw@tekid.UUCP (06/16/83)
I would like to add that a drivers license in Germany is a pretty exclusive
commodity. One cannot drive until one is 18 years old, and then must have
had extensive driver training -- usually approx. 30 hrs. Driver ed alone
costs around $1000 to $1500 easily for a GOOD driver, for if one doesn't pass
the exams, one must take more driver's ed (Driver training is a BIG business)
After the training, then comes the licensing . . . about $100. The license
though is good for life with the following restrictions:
1) License is revoked forever if you cause an accident where someone is
killed, or permanently injured.
2) License is revoked forever if you seriously injure a pedestrian.
3) License can be revoked forever if you cause too much property
damage, have too many violations, etc.
I have a German Driver's license, but was able to waiver the driver's ed
since I had a valid US driver's license and proved to them I could drive
safely during a 6 month trial period.
The Germans seem to do well with their speed laws and I heard of very few
accidents during my 2 yr. visit in Germany. I feel Americans could do the
same with speed laws and do well if the majority of the drivers were used
to faster driving conditions . . . similar to someone driving in snow for
for the first time - at first they are a hazard to everyone on the road, but
after some EXPERIENCE they learn to be safe.
Wes Whitnahjvs@iwu1d.UUCP (06/20/83)
I'm no expert so take this with a grain of salt. I know a family that had been hard-core Mazda fans for around 10 years or so. They swore by those cars and they still think Mazda's are great. However, they now think they have found something better and are now in the process of eventually re- placing their Mazda's with somthing else (as the need arises of course). The cars they're in love with now are Renault's. Compareable quality, better value. So they say. John V. Smith
berry@fortune.UUCP (06/21/83)
#R:tekecs:-136300:fortune:1500013:000:319 fortune!berry Jun 20 19:07:00 1983 I hate to tell you this (or actually maybe I don't) but there are laws on the books in most states that have the same gist. In the U.S. as well as in Europe slower traffic must, by law, keep to the right. Surely, you've also seen those signs "Slow Traffic Keep Right," They're not just my imagination are they?????
sample@ubc-visi.UUCP (06/22/83)
I agree with ut-ngp!knutson. The driving in Europe is much better than in North America. I drove all around Greece for two weeks, and I did not see even one accident. That includes two days in Athens, which has more traffic than most large cities I've been in. Traffic laws in Greece exist, but nobody, except the occaisional tourist, pays any attention to them, unless forced to. There is more of an attitude of not interfering with the other drivers, and expecting them not to interfere with you. Even on two lane highways, if you overtake someone, he almost always pulls off onto the shoulder. The attitude here is more like "I have a right to the road, even if I am obstructing traffic". Even if you flash your headlights, slow drivers rarely pull over. Rick Sample
sjk@sri-unix.UUCP (07/08/83)
#R:tekecs:-136300:sri-unix:8000008:000:589 sri-unix!sjk Jun 22 02:09:00 1983 ***** sri-unix:net.auto / fortune!berry / 8:04 pm Jun 20, 1983 I hate to tell you this (or actually maybe I don't) but there are laws on the books in most states that have the same gist. In the U.S. as well as in Europe slower traffic must, by law, keep to the right. Surely, you've also seen those signs "Slow Traffic Keep Right," They're not just my imagination are they????? ---------- It would be anyone's imagination is to think that such a law would be enforced. It's like driving with only one headlight and other commonly abused laws. scott kramer <sjk@ucbvax, ucbvax!sjk>
larson@sri-unix.UUCP (07/08/83)
#R:tekecs:-136300:sri-unix:8000010:000:71 sri-unix!larson Jun 23 10:07:00 1983 It sounds about as likely to be observed as the speed limit... Alan