We Need An American Autobahn

[len56]

Originally Posted by AngryAmish

Everyone acts like there are no boneheads in Germany.
I mean, I still don't see it happening either...but that doesn't mean it would be any worse here then in Germany.

Are there less boneheads in Germany than here? Sure, but keep in mind its only about the size of Montana.

We would actually make money on a road like the Autobahn. Think of the Tourism aspect.

have you ever been there? I was just there, and wow, the driving is much better. probably because you have to wait to 18 and take mandatory lessons.

the lane changing is very respectful. you don't go into the left lane if you cant. if some is going slow in the left lane, you just use your turn signal to signal them to move over, and every time that's happened to me, they did. (instead of throwing coffee out the window at you )

I'm not saying there arent any idiots there, (there are idiots everywhere :P) but the general driving public is much more educated when it comes to the road.

Originally Posted by The_Blur

We need an American autobahn. The freedom of a limitless highway is something that should be part of the fundamental American dream. Driving fast is an American value for so many car enthusiasts, but it is not an option in a nation so obsessed with driving defensively. If people obeyed the laws, then driving defensively would be a little less necssary—no more breaking abruptly for no reason, no more driving 10mph under the speed limit. Since American drivers have none of the discipline that exists on the German autobahn, it will be a long time before we see this here.

agree

[cab2g]

Most Americans do not get enough driving training nor do they obey the current driving standards like Europeans do. I don't trust other drivers. If you've ever driven in western Europe for an extended period, you'll probably notice a big difference in driving habits and practices

[cab2g]

buuut... I wish we could have an Autobahn. It'd be super cool. But first we'd all have to get a lot more education and a culture change would be in order

[Grimmjow]

Lol, i've lived in germany for 7 years, but was not old enough to drive. Military brat. I do remember the autobahn tho! You'd have to be one responsible person though.

[Hylton]

Too many stupid and irresponsible drivers in North America to have an autobahn out here. They might as well call it the slaughterbahn.

[SleepWarz]

So since nobody really has a GOOD IDEA here other than just close minded in the box thinking.... Yes there are alot of stupid drivers.

Require getting a certain license class and special insurance to roll on that road. Oh but good luck getting over the morons with money bribing there way in.

[2010-1SS-IBM]

For a few years, we did. They called it "Montana".

[jcamaro]

If they make getting your license require more extensive training and testing, and then require a 4 week course to be able to drive on an America Autobahn... then maybe it would happen.

That being said, I know I do not have the skill to drive on an open speed limit road. Yet

[cab2g]

And freaking huge stiff fines if you are caught violating any rules of the road. I mean $1000 stiff. If people had to pay those kinds of fines for any moving violation, people would really think twice about how they were driving. Don't you think? Yes, you'd hate having a system like that, but that's the point.

[CamaroSkooter]

I absolutely love the idea of having an American Autobahn.

When it comes to idiot drivers, that can be easily solved by putting restrictions on who can drive on the road. As has been said, requiring people to take a multi-week course on how to drive with an extensive test at the end, coupled with very heavy penalties for people who get on the road without the required license could easily minimize the stupidity.

However, I can see the biggest problem being on the maintenance side of things. If we wanted to really have a coast-to-coast Autobahn that stretches from New York to California, for example, that would require cooperation between at least 10 different state Departments of Transportation with respect to up-keep and uniform design criteria. Not to mention the license required would have to be accepted in every participating state, which is a long shot to begin with.

Like I said, I love the idea, but the logistics of it are crazy. In Texas, though, we're as close as we'll get to the idea with I-10 out in West Texas. Between Kerrville and El Paso, the speed limit on Interstate 10 jumps up to 80mph.

[Meeper]

Ah yes I enjoyed that stretch of I-10 when I drove from Cali to Florida. I did however get pulled over for going 84 in an 80, luckily no ticket. I think he was bored because I was probably the first person to pass by him in over an hour.

As for the autobahn, it would be cool to see it, but you know we never will. It's too expensive to maintain over several state lines, and you'd have to require training and tests to be able to drive in peace on it, because this country is full of lunatic drivers.

[mikel441]

Originally Posted by AngryAmish

Everyone acts like there are no boneheads in Germany.
I mean, I still don't see it happening either...but that doesn't mean it would be any worse here then in Germany.

Are there less boneheads in Germany than here? Sure, but keep in mind its only about the size of Montana.

We would actually make money on a road like the Autobahn. Think of the Tourism aspect.

OK ya got me!

[mikel441]

Originally Posted by 2010SSRSM6

Picture this.................

Your cruising along at 155

Moron in a Datsun 210 gets on the Autobahn going 35 and goes straight to the "Fast Lane" just like normal

Too many people from too many places with different driving habits for this to work here. Face it, you can't fix stupid. But you can try like hell!

That being said, I would love to have a section of major freeway (2 lanes each way) where you could pay a toll with a "Certified Car" after you take a "Special" course that only has a few access and exit points along a several hundred mile stretch that is blocked in like the carpool lane on I-5 where stupid couldn't screw it up as easily. ahhhhhh to dream.

AAHHHH the I5 experience!

[Camaro accountant]

I-70 in kansas is pretty much the autobahn. nothing but road. towns 30 miles apart. not to many cops.