Literally everyone knows of the German Autobahn. Whether you like cars or not, you’ve probably heard of the famous Autobahn and its lack of speed limits in certain areas. In these unrestricted areas, there truly is no speed limit, allowing enthusiasts to drive as fast as either their car or their courage will go. It’s so world-famous that enthusiasts travel far and wide for a crack at the unrestricted sections of the Autobahn. Now, it seems as if we might be getting one of our own right here in America, as a bill was just proposed in California that would create such a thing. In fact, it might be even better.
According to Senate Bill 319, two new lanes would be added both north and south to two different highways that will lack speed limits entirely.
This bill would require the department to initiate a project to construct two additional traffic lanes on northbound and southbound Interstate Route 5 and State Route 99, and would prohibit the imposition of a maximum speed limit for those traffic lanes.
Sounds like fun. Though, it was actually done for logical reasons and not just to make gearheads happy. The idea is to reduce traffic and congestion, which California is known for, thus reducing emissions from less people just sitting and idling for hours. It’s also a much cheaper alternative to California’s proposed high-speed railway project that seems to be going off the, well, rails due to funding, or lack thereof.
Now, there’s actually quite a bit to unpack here. We recently spoke about how Germany was considering adding speed limit restrictions to all of the Autobahn in away of reducing emissions. So it seems odd that California would want to do the opposite. Although, Germany doesn’t have the congestion problem California does. Also, California is not known for having the best road conditions so it will need to step it up if it wants a highway with no speed limits. Another thing, Germany has extreme vehicle inspections to make sure all vehicles driving at that speed are safe, so California would likely have to adopt some new vehicle inspection regulations.
So it’s not as easy as just paving a couple of roads, putting up a sign of Wile E Coyote and calling it a day. Still, if this ever does come to fruition, I might have to consider moving to California. I’d have to choose between no speed limits and good pizza.
[Source: Jalopnik]
FYI California has ZERO vehicle inspection requirements other than smog check every 2 years.
There are thousands of cars on our roads with bald tires, worn out brakes and failed suspension components. That’s on top of most American-sold cars not being designed to be driven over 100 mph nor being equipped with tires rated to go over 100mph.
This idea would literally kill hundreds of people every year and the politician that introduced it is a complete and utter moron with no grasp on reality.
Now, actually requiring vehicle inspections would reduce traffic congestion as that traffic is often caused by cars that have broken down in the middle of the highway and who knows how many crashes are caused by lack of maintenance.
Wow!
That is very scary. Do you perhaps have stats on how many accidents occur there compared to the national average?
So it should surprise no one (that knows about american politics) that his was proposed by a republican politician.
Because all idiotic, unresearched and expensive ideas that would hurt the regular man and would only benefit the rich are proposed by republican nimrods. And that’s why California keeps voting these simpletons out of office.
I’m not going to get into politics but I do agree that rules and testing would have to drastically change for this to be okay. It’s not just California that has horrific car inspections. In New Jersey (where I live) a car only needs to pass emissions. It could have four bald, flat tires, a cracked windshield, a missing door and no seatbelts and it will pass so long as there’s no check engine light and it passes the emissions test. I’ve had some a very shady E36 pass emissions before :)
This could make for some incredible YouTube footage..
In Germany driver education is mandatory, extensive, and expensive. If you fail you start the process over again. Generally, Germans are taught well on how to drive.
The success of an autobahn depends on more than additional lanes and the absence of speed limits.
…and by having to sacrifice good pizza, I assume you’ll be moving to California from Napoli?! ;-)
On the Autobahn subject, I wouldn’t hold my breath. I don’t see that happening here.
New Jersey, actually. Our pizza might not be as good as New York’s but it’s a helluva lot better than Cali’s and I’ll fight anyone who says otherwise :)
No one eats in Kuhlifornia.
Living 30 miles from the German border. I love the unrestricted sections of highway. But it’s not a race track, it’s a public road and some people seem to lack common sense. I’m always amazed on how irresponsible some drivers (and “social media influencers”) can be on these sections. Doing >200km/u (>120 miles/h) in heavy traffic is just stupid and dangerous.
Even if everything else worked out, you would still have ACN crap gas with which to deal.
Just not happening.
California? So it’s going to cost $2 billion to build ($3 billion after budget over-runs), 5 years late, and then you’ll pay $4 a mile to drive it.
YES!!!! This is awesome news, i hope it actually happens.