Autobahn speed limit threat

It could soon be the end of the road for speed-limitless autobahns... if Greenpeace gets its way

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Action group is calling for speed limit on autobahns

10th May 2007

The environmental group's activists want the German government to introduce a blanket 120km/h (75mph) limit on its derestricted motorways. Green lobbyists argue such a measure would help to cut CO2 emissions from traffic on the network by nine per cent.

That's because vehicles produce greater outputs of gas at speed, and drivers can go as fast as they like on nearly half of Germany's 7,450 miles of autobahns.

To promote its campaign, Greenpeace erected its own suggested maximum speed signs at the side of the road. Environmentalists claim that imposing an upper limit would encourage motorists to choose less powerful - and more economical - vehicles in the future.

Many politicians in the country are currently opposed to the plans. Germany is the only nation in Europe with properly derestricted roads, while most of the EU typically has an 80mph limit.

The lack of an official maximum has prompted many German car makers to introduce self-imposed speed restrictors set to 155mph.