Autobahn speed limit: good for climate and safety, or a useless loss of freedom?

Following the leak of a working paper from Germany’s sustainable mobility commission, the debate about speed limits on Germany’s Autobahn system continues unabated in the media. The conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung carries two commentaries on the subject – one in favour of speed limits, one against. “Unfortunately, one has to phrase it so drastically: For the kick of a minority in horsepower-strong limousines people have to die every year,” argues Stefan Tomik. He says a speed limit “takes aggression and the hectic pace out of traffic and creates more composure and safety. All western industrialised nations have already recognised this – except the Germans.” Holger Appel counters that Autobahns are Germany’s safest roads, and that a speed limit can add very little to climate protection at best. “No, we would gain nothing with a fixed limit, but lose yet another bit of freedom.”