Life imitating Cantr?

[boomhaeur]

Seems like the wild boars aren't just out of control in Cantr:

Wild boar cause autobahn chaos in Germany
Mon Mar 1,10:56 AM ET Add Offbeat - AFP to My Yahoo!

KARLSRUHE, Germany (AFP) - A herd of wild boar provoked a traffic jam that tailed back 18 kilometres (11 miles) after running onto a motorway in southwest Germany, police said.

One of the animals was killed as they ran onto the motorway at Sinsheim. It resulted in a traffic build-up which led to three lorries colliding.

The motorway then had to be closed, leading to the lengthy tailback, police said Monday.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=s ... 0301155655

[Lone Wolf]

That would have been a sight. Isn't the Autobahn the public highway with no speed limit? I've always wanted to drive on that

[Bowser]

The motorway then had to be closed, leading to the lengthy tailback, police said Monday.

I heard it took weeks to clear it up because the police could only attack the pack of animals once a day and more and more kept arriving every turn.

Were the people poking the wild boars? I have found from experience that provokes thems.

[Junesun]

Isn't the Autobahn the public highway with no speed limit? I've always wanted to drive on that

Yes, it's a public and free (so far, since they didn't manage to make the lorries driving there pay) and there is no speed limit, except in areas where there is construction work going on or something. The recommended speed is 130 km/h (recommended = the police can't do anything if you drive faster) and the minimum speed is 60 km/h (minimum = vehicles that can't normally go at 60 km/h aren't even allowed on the Autobahnen). Lots of people go faster when their lane is clear though. Some try to go faster even when it isn't clear, by madly weaving through the lanes.

When I visited Canada, I was quite surprised that they have a speed limit and that people may overtake on both sides. That makes it actually quite chaotic. Here, you may only overtake somebody who is on a lane to your right. That automatically orders things, because it means the slowest vehicles (should) use the right-most lane and the left-most lane is almost constantly free for people who want to overtake. It also relieves the driver of some stress, since you don't have to survey as many things: normally, the vehicles behind you on the right and those ahead of you on the left play no role anymore since they're either too slow or too fast to get closer to you. Also, all exits are on the right, next to the slowest lane, so people wishing to take an exit don't slow down the others.

Now, there are only a couple of problems left: 1. people who go too slow on the left lane; 2. people who try to make those people go faster or leave the lane by driving too close; 3. traffic jams that don't allow you to drive at all; 4. truck drivers from all over Europe having to drive through Germany and effectively blocking the right-most lane.

Judith

[new.vogue.nightmare]

Here, you're supposed to pass only on one side, but alas, nobody really seems to care.

[Jos Elkink]

I drove last week for the first time on an autobahn (when visiting Thomas) and it was indeed really cool to drive without speed limit ...

But, I must disagree with you on Canadian driving. I've been driving there a few years ago, and I thought they had the best traffic rules I ever saw. Passing on the right as well makes traffic much more relaxed. People do not keep switching lanes like they do in Europe. Also, most people simply have similar speed - 10% about max speed and everybody goes pretty much at that speed (including huge trucks, to my surprise) - which also makes it more relaxed. And yes, you have to watch both sides, but in Europe you have to as well, as there are always some maniacs passing on the right side ... and in fact, I think the Canadian system is safer, because you are more aware that people will pass on that side, while in Europe is causes a danger.

Oh, and finally but somewhat unrelated, the Canadians are really nice on the road ... they even stop for pedestrians who want to cross ...

[new.vogue.nightmare]

Hmm, maybe my girlfriend could take a hint from them...
*hides from her road rage*
Then again, I'm sure I'm not the pinnacle of friendliness

[Junesun]

I think the Canadian system is safer, because you are more aware that people will pass on that side, while in Europe is causes a danger.

Well I wasn't aware of that before... I also wasn't aware of the fact that they place traffic lights on the other side of the intersections... And that they have no right-before-left rule of right-of-way. Basically, driving over there, especially around the big cities, seemed very chaotic to me. Fortunately I didn't have to do too much of that, I stayed with friends.

Oh, and finally but somewhat unrelated, the Canadians are really nice on the road ... they even stop for pedestrians who want to cross ...

Do they? If you try to stop for pedestrians in Montréal, they eye you warily and refuse to cross because they think you're setting a trap for them lol

Judith

[Jos Elkink]

I think the Canadian system is safer, because you are more aware that people will pass on that side, while in Europe is causes a danger.

Well I wasn't aware of that before... I also wasn't aware of the fact that they place traffic lights on the other side of the intersections... And that they have no right-before-left rule of right-of-way. Basically, driving over there, especially around the big cities, seemed very chaotic to me. Fortunately I didn't have to do too much of that, I stayed with friends.

Again, I like the Canadian system: lights on the other side of the intersection means you don't have to bent all over your steering wheel to see the light. And the right-before-left rule is replaced with the rule that what looks like the main road has the right-of-way, which works surprisingly well. Better then in Europe, where even with tiny side roads you always have to be afraid of cars racing out on the main road. Again, it leads to much more relaxed driving.

I must admit, though, that I haven't been driving in big cities, Hamilton/Kitchener having been the biggest place I drove. But even in Toronto crossing the street was fairly easy ... but indeed, not as in the countryside.

[The Hunter]

The autobahn is great, but if you want to go really fast you really need a damn good car. Drove to munich 3 weeks ago.
Fastest speed: 190 Km/h, but alas, we had to leave the left (fast) lane all the time because we were overtaken by 200+ Km/h all the time. Most of the overtaking cars were audi's, A-6es and A-8ts. Never were we able to go top speed, so still don't know what our cars max is.

Been in Canada and the US last summer. Driving in the US was terrible. Bad roads and ppl driving any speed on any lane all the time, and preventing you overtaking. They wouldn't leave that lane unless you got really close to their bumper.

Canada was completely different, in general they use the left lane as a fast lane too. Also clearing the lane when you wanted to overtake, and using their "Blinking lights" (Sorry, don't know the name here) when changing lane's or when turning, as opposed to americans, who seem not to have found the appropiorate button yet.

Best of all: I believe the speed limit is about 110 Km/h there, but we drove a lot faster than that when we spotted a sign with the fines when driving too faast. They're hilarious.

Stiil, driving in Germany is heaven.

[boomhaeur]

Actually the speed limit is 100km/h -- you can generally go 120 without worrying about getting pulled over - up to 140 is usually pretty safe. Beyond that a) the cops will nail you but b) it's just not safe with the other yahoo's on the road here - the speed differences get to be too high and no one checks their mirrors I find....

[The Hunter]

Wouldn't go faster than 140 KM/h anyway. We drove 160 KM/h in Kentucky before, but it wasn't fun. That 1500 KG Grand Am (Sports edition ) seemed to loose grip and wanted to go everywhaere but in the direction necessary. 140 would be max if you want to drive safely I think.

By "here" you mean germany I guess? Well, it depends. During working hours everything goes very organized, but in the weekends and after working hours the "Normal" ppl go on the road too, and yes, it'll be a lot more chaotic. As long as the "pro's" only are on the road, there isnt any problem. Mr family man going for a family visit on sunday in his Opel Vectra is a whole different matter.

[boomhaeur]

Actually with "here" I meant Canada... living and driving here in Toronto I'm actually shocked to hear people saying how nice it is to drive here...

I find it nightmarishly bad....

[The Hunter]

Then I think you have no reference. Drive in some other countries and thou shall understand, my son.

[rklenseth]

I stay away from highways. Back roads are may way. No people and great scenery.


Plus, I would I want to drive on something that intended for fast movement of military units and landing places for military aircraft should the Soviet Union had ever invaded. That is the real reason why they are built and considering the Soviet Union is no more we Americans should rip up the highways. Big waste of money in my opinion.