Why a speed limit is inevitable – 3 arguments that will convince you!
In Europe, speeding on the motorway is only possible in Germany, which makes our country special – most people are familiar with the German motorway. But why do we stick to it so vehemently, even though there are really good reasons for a speed limit?
Germany sees itself as a car country. Of course, we are home to some of the world's most popular brands with manufacturers such as VW, BMW or Mercedes – but the change in mobility is also accompanied by a change in driving style and a change in the way of thinking about the car as a status object. We don't want to lose that, we want to maintain the status quo. But if you want to develop further, you shouldn't be afraid of innovations – the speed limit doesn't take anything away from us, on the contrary.
Why we need a speed limit in Germany
Of course, the reason for your speed limit is often the savings in CO2 emissions and gasoline consumption - and that's right. The decreasing number of serious accidents due to high speed is of course also a good reason to introduce a speed limit. But we think that the following reasons can make it much more understandable on a personal level why the speed limit should not be demonized:
1. Incentive to build more efficient vehicles – and cheaper ones
Despite the turn to electric cars, heavy, large and sometimes far too large motorized vehicles are still being built. They are not efficient and only affordable for a small part of the population. If a speed limit were to be introduced on motorways, manufacturers would be able to optimise engines for lower speeds and also focus more on producing cars that meet the needs of the majority: functionality, good value for money and reliability.
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2. (Partially) self-driving cars need a speed limit
If we want a future with self-driving cars, then a speed limit is absolutely necessary. The vehicles must communicate with each other and independently ensure that traffic flows. The safety risk at high speeds is already current, but relatively high in the case of highly automated level 3 driving. So we are already on the way to a fully autonomous car – if in the end it is the vehicle that drives and no longer the person, then it doesn't matter whether you are allowed to drive fast – right?
3. Fluid traffic = relaxed arrival
Equalizing the speeds of different cars can lead to smoother traffic. In addition, you have to brake less hard and then accelerate hard again, which helps the environment on the one hand and the stress level on the other. Many drivers feel very stressed by constant overtaking or even jostling other cars. So a speed limit can also help you arrive more relaxed after longer car journeys.