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From: goddard@rochester.UUCP (Nigel Goddard)
Newsgroups: net.auto,net.legal
Subject: Re: Speed limits in other countries
Message-ID: <12082@rochester.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 5-Oct-85 02:45:01 EDT
Article-I.D.: rocheste.12082
Posted: Sat Oct  5 02:45:01 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 6-Oct-85 06:50:22 EDT
References: <1081@homxa.UUCP> <4891@allegra.UUCP>
Reply-To: goddard@rochester.UUCP (Nigel Goddard)
Organization: U. of Rochester, CS Dept.
Lines: 30
Xref: watmath net.auto:8411 net.legal:2417


About speed limits and deaths in Holland and Belgium.  In Holland the
official speed limit is 100kph (65 m.p.h) but on the autoroutes the
Rijkspolitie won't stop you until you exceed 120kph.  In Belgium the
speed limit is 120kph and people seem to drive about the same speed
as in Holland (ie at ~120kph).  Holland has probably the most
concentrated network of autoroutes in the world and although Dutch
drivers will stay terrifyingly close on your tail, they seem to know
where the brake pedal is and are aware of what's going on.  Also they
rarely overtake you on the wrong side, unlike the Belgians.  The
Belgians are much more unpredictable, have less autoroutes, and
have many road junctions where the priority is to drivers coming
from the right - an invitation to disaster.  Also in England the
speed limit is 70 mph and people tend to drive at around 75 mph.
In Germany there is no speed limit and it's not uncommon to be
overtaken by a car doing 100-120 mph. No problem.

Personally I think the speed limits in the US are ridiculous.
I've been horrified at the fuel consumption figures here.  In
Europe 35-45 mpg is common.  It's not the speed so much as car design.

As far as safety goes, driver education and awareness are paramount.
Lane discipline, using your mirrors and indicators, general awareness -
uncommon features here!
-- 
Internet:	goddard@rochester.arpa
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