Cell phone ban...and snowball effect
I need sleep...
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: NH
Originally Posted by fastball
The Autobahn is their whole freeway system and it's not just one section. It's the name for all the expressways throughout Germany, and they are overseen by their federal government. So all freeway points are governed in the same fashion. Mabe their city streets have different rules, but the Autobahn is run the same in Koeln as it is in Berlin or Stuttgardt There are variable speed limits within city limits, but they are not city or state controlled. That's the problem with our interstate system. The feds left it up to the individual states to maintain and enforce (with the exception of that god-awfull 55 limit from '74-91), so it's incredibly inconsistant and poorly built and maintained.
I can't wait to go back there and drive again.
Push to shock!
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Palo Alto, CA
Originally Posted by fastball
That's the problem with our interstate system. The feds left it up to the individual states to maintain and enforce (with the exception of that god-awfull 55 limit from '74-91), so it's incredibly inconsistant and poorly built and maintained.
I need sleep...
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From: NH
Originally Posted by fastball
So, what did you drive?
Banned
Joined: May 2003
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From: Tampa, FL
Originally Posted by Kestrel
Germany is also many times smaller than the United States. There is no way that the US goverment can afford to maintain the thousands upon thousands of miles of interstate to the same level that Germany can maintain the Autobahn. There are almost 45,000 miles of interstate in the US, compared to less than 7000 in Germany. Also German drivers are required to pass more stringent tests and start driving at an older age, things that would never fly here in the US.
I need sleep...
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From: NH
Originally Posted by sxecrow
Sure there is. The US spends an ungodly amount of money in military spending and intelligence. Our spending is far far far far far beyond everyone else. The next highest is like 15x less in what we spend. I know the need for military spending and intelligence is important, but if we took 5% ... just 5% of what we spend on military budget, we would have a drastic improvement on our roads, schools, etc.
While Ike was commanding the Allied forces in Europe during World War II, he saw how efficiently and easily Germans could move their troops on their sophisticated Autobahns, and dreamed of replicating this new idea in America.
The federal government footed the first 90% to construct the roads. Now it is left up to the state governements to maintain, however there is no federal standards of maintenence and many rodas and bridges are in dire need of repair or updating. A standard for the states to confirm to would be good but tough to enforce. A better idea is to follow what the Europeans do and nationalize the interstate system and charge a yearly per-car tax to drive on the roads so each car needs a sticker to drive on the highways. That money would then be used to maintain the roads.
A little chin music
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Cleveland, Ohio - Rock 'n Roll capitol of the World
Originally Posted by DVPGSR
Actually because our interstate highway system was originally designed to support troop movements...
Link
The federal government footed the first 90% to construct the roads. Now it is left up to the state governements to maintain, however there is no federal standards of maintenence and many rodas and bridges are in dire need of repair or updating. A standard for the states to confirm to would be good but tough to enforce. A better idea is to follow what the Europeans do and nationalize the interstate system and charge a yearly per-car tax to drive on the roads so each car needs a sticker to drive on the highways. That money would then be used to maintain the roads.
Link
The federal government footed the first 90% to construct the roads. Now it is left up to the state governements to maintain, however there is no federal standards of maintenence and many rodas and bridges are in dire need of repair or updating. A standard for the states to confirm to would be good but tough to enforce. A better idea is to follow what the Europeans do and nationalize the interstate system and charge a yearly per-car tax to drive on the roads so each car needs a sticker to drive on the highways. That money would then be used to maintain the roads.
I need sleep...
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,632
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From: NH
Originally Posted by fastball
You raise another good point: there are specific taxes that go to Autobahn maintainance. Unlike here when they say "your tax dollars at work" when there is construction and you wonder what part of your taxes it is and where it goes. As far as that's concerned, for the record, the standard asphalt/concrete thickness on the Autobahn is 26", and if the slightest crack is detected, the entire section of road is replaced. In the U.S., roads can vary from 10-15" in thickness, and you're lucky if the DOT fills the chuck holes in at all. Not to mention, German roads tend to last twice as long as American roads.
More reasons the Autobahn rules. I wish American roads were built as nice.
Wannabe yuppie
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,918
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From: Madison, WI
Originally Posted by fastball
The Autobahn is their whole freeway system and it's not just one section. It's the name for all the expressways throughout Germany, and they are overseen by their federal government. So all freeway points are governed in the same fashion. Mabe their city streets have different rules, but the Autobahn is run the same in Koeln as it is in Berlin or Stuttgardt There are variable speed limits within city limits, but they are not city or state controlled. That's the problem with our interstate system. The feds left it up to the individual states to maintain and enforce (with the exception of that god-awfull 55 limit from '74-91), so it's incredibly inconsistant and poorly built and maintained.
A little chin music
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,655
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From: Cleveland, Ohio - Rock 'n Roll capitol of the World
Originally Posted by DVPGSR
:werd: :werd: & :werd: again.
More reasons the Autobahn rules. I wish American roads were built as nice.
More reasons the Autobahn rules. I wish American roads were built as nice.
We can only dream, and since I first heard of what the Autobahn is when I was a kid, I have had that dream many times. I do intend, sometime in the not so distant future, to make the trip to Deutschland and take a 330Ci or 320CLK for a tour of the countryside. Mabe pop a Beethoven disc in while I'm at it. I can just imagine it now at 120 mph with his 9th symphony at full blast...... a life fullfilling experience. I must have this experience once before I die.