The Future Of Transportation

[Adamant]

The Interstate system is styled after the Autobahn with multiple lanes and limited on and off ramps, the US never had that before.
Prior to the Interstate system we had the Highway system that had far too many surface street connections; now a lot of the original Highway system has become just a busy surface street.
The idea for the Autobahn was there, it was just modified incorrectly and it let too many others in to help design it.
Plus I understand that the Autobahn is nothing like it used to be; there are a lot of areas where it has speed limits and traffic just about as bad as ours.
Yes, it still opens up in some areas but those are starting to shrink.
One other thing the Autobahn has we don't; people that actually follow the rules of the road. Passing on the right is a big time no-no and people adhere to the "slower traffic stay right"; very few left lane campers there.

We do have an autobahn... limited access highway. We don't call it autobahn though. We call them Interstates. I've driven on the autobahn in Germany, into Luxembourg and Cologne.... got up to 140 and felt like I was flying in the Mini... Of course, 140KMH is only 84MPH... So, I've been much faster here in the States. Montana didn't have a speed limit for a long time either. Our highway system allows for much higher overall speeds as we actually have straight sections whereas the Germans didn't want sections that could be used for enemy aircraft landing. The autobahn was a pain as there would be short sections with no speed limit followed by many, many sections with speed limits. And, where is Ausfahrt? It took us a little while to realize that all those exits that pointed toward Ausfahrt weren't pointing to some city we were circling but rather that Ausfahrt means "Exit". We laughed once someone remembered what it meant.

As far as my Autobahn comment, I was talking about "Unlimited MPH" sections. We don't have our own unlimited sections of freeway, and we absolutely should. There are so many places where no speed limit would work perfectly.

But I see the problem of American driving habits and people here not following the laws like they do in Germany. Perhaps someday they can slowly introduce the "unlimited sections" but also introduce new rules and laws that go along with it to MAKE SURE people are aware of consequences of not following the rules in these sections. Also include more signage and highay patrol in these sections. Make it impossible to miss.

Example:

Left Lane Camper in unlimited section holding up traffic: $500 fine per offense (more than 2 offenses per year and your lisense is suspended)
Passing on right: $750 fine per offense

Etc, etc, etc.

Also adapt DMV and driving school to adhere to these new laws and unlimited sections.

 

[JEBar]

We don't have our own unlimited sections of freeway, and we absolutely should. There are so many places where no speed limit would work perfectly.

I well remember back in '69 being pulled in Montana. I was driving at 70 mph and when the red lights started flashing I was certain I had a ticket .... the officer told me that I was a danger at that speed and had to speed up or get off of the interstate ... I happily complied .... at that time it was pretty much drive at your own risk during daylight .... a bit of history from this link :

"In the years before 1974's national 55 mph limit, and for three years after the 1995 repeal of the increased 65 mph limit, Montana had a non-numeric "reasonable and prudent" speed limit during the daytime on most rural roads. Montana Code Annotated (MCA) Section 61-8-303 said "A person ... shall drive the vehicle ... at a rate of speed no greater than is reasonable and proper under the conditions existing at the point of operation ... so as not to unduly or unreasonably endanger the life, limb, property, or other rights of a person entitled to the use of the street or highway." "

 

[Coss]

As far as my Autobahn comment, I was talking about "Unlimited MPH" sections. We don't have our own unlimited sections of freeway, and we absolutely should. There are so many places where no speed limit would work perfectly.

But I see the problem of American driving habits and people here not following the laws like they do in Germany. Perhaps someday they can slowly introduce the "unlimited sections" but also introduce new rules and laws that go along with it to MAKE SURE people are aware of consequences of not following the rules in these sections. Also include more signage and highay patrol in these sections. Make it impossible to miss.

Example:

Left Lane Camper in unlimited section holding up traffic: $500 fine per offense (more than 2 offenses per year and your lisense is suspended)
Passing on right: $750 fine per offense

Etc, etc, etc.

Also adapt DMV and driving school to adhere to these new laws and unlimited sections.

What kind of meds are you doing tonight? Make people learn to drive??? Yeah right; not in this lifetime.

There are roads with no speed limit; go up to I-90 in Montana
And I know through parts of Nevada, Arizona and Utah in the desert that they have the signs, but no one pays any attention to them, including the cops.

 

[Coss]

I well remember back in '69 being pulled in Montana. I was driving at 70 mph and when the red lights started flashing I was certain I had a ticket .... the officer told me that I was a danger at that speed and had to speed up or get off of the interstate ... I happily complied .... at that time it was pretty much drive at your own risk during daylight .... a bit of history from this link :

"In the years before 1974's national 55 mph limit, and for three years after the 1995 repeal of the increased 65 mph limit, Montana had a non-numeric "reasonable and prudent" speed limit during the daytime on most rural roads. Montana Code Annotated (MCA) Section 61-8-303 said "A person ... shall drive the vehicle ... at a rate of speed no greater than is reasonable and proper under the conditions existing at the point of operation ... so as not to unduly or unreasonably endanger the life, limb, property, or other rights of a person entitled to the use of the street or highway." "

You left out the best part; if they do pull you over for speeding it's a $5 fine for "misuse of natural resources" and you can pay the cop right there, or he'll give you an envelope so you can mail it in and it's $8.($5 fine, $3 handling and filing fee).

 

[JEBar]

You left out the best part; if they do pull you over for speeding it's a $5 fine for "misuse of natural resources" and you can pay the cop right there, or he'll give you an envelope so you can mail it in and it's $8.($5 fine, $3 handling and filing fee).

I wasn't aware of that .... we were literally passing through .... never got a ticket and sure did enjoy the drive

 

[Coss]

I had gotten a ticket in Montana in 1975; State Patrol was sitting under a bridge and I didn't see him till too late; he said he clocked me at 70 after "I had slowed down (the speed limit in 1975 was 55) that's when I was first told the tale of the Montana speed limits.
I couldn't get that $5 out of my pocket fast enough. He handed me the receipt and told me that there was construction a couple of miles up and to make sure to slow down for it. Talk about a grin on my face as I walked back to my car

 

[Ty]

Just a little info on Montana...
From December 8, 1995 to May 28, 1999 Montana's daytime automobile speed limits were "reasonable and prudent", according to interpretation by Highway Patrol officers. Fines were increased and motorists were advised to drive carefully according to existing weather and road conditions. American speed enthusiasts were delighted and the state's Interstate highways got a reputation as the Montanabahn. Congress was not amused, and neither were many Montana residents. With a little help in potential Federal funding restrictions, speed limits were restored. Montana's maximum speed limit is now 75 MPH on the Interstates - check with Montana DOT for current speed limits, road condtions, etc.

 

[Ty]

http://www.nbcnews.com/business/autos/which-states-have-highest-speed-limits-n188686

85 MPH is 137kph ... still not 250kph though!