Another travesty is about to be committed.......

[HeadRush]

The EU has asked Germany to impose speed limits on the Autobahn. This is in effect supposed to cut down on global warming and will save about 2 billion gallons in gas.

Now for those of you who haven't driven on it or don't know what it is. It's basically a highway without a speed limit. There are speed limits around on/off exit ramps, and there's a law that basically says that if you get into an accident over a certain speed limit (I think 70 m.p.h.) it is your fault.

Having driven on it for over 3 yrs. I'm torn that it might happen. It's part of German culture like Mercedes, Porsche, BMW, and VW. It's like jumping out of a 911 turbo and into a Beetle!

[ranger309]

Originally Posted by HeadRush

The EU has asked Germany to impose speed limits on the Autobahn. This is in effect supposed to cut down on global warming and will save about 2 billion gallons in gas.

Now for those of you who haven't driven on it or don't know what it is. It's basically a highway without a speed limit. There are speed limits around on/off exit ramps, and there's a law that basically says that if you get into an accident over a certain speed limit (I think 70 m.p.h.) it is your fault.

Having driven on it for over 3 yrs. I'm torn that it might happen. It's part of German culture like Mercedes, Porsche, BMW, and VW. It's like jumping out of a 911 turbo and into a Beetle!

Lots worse things to worry about then that. I can remember boarding a passenger jet with no pat-down or luggage check,and I miss that.

I remember riding a bike with no helmet laws. I miss that too.

Things change, bro.

[HeadRush]

Originally Posted by ranger309

Lots worse things to worry about then that. I can remember boarding a passenger jet with no pat-down or luggage check,and I miss that.

I remember riding a bike with no helmet laws. I miss that too.

Things change, bro.

Ranger,

The U.S. had long ignored terrorists. I was in Germany in 91' and I remember seeing wanted posters for terrorists all over the place. The U.S. had just started forming anti-terrorist units in the F.B.I. back then too. Well at least, it became public knowledge then. German airports had police armed with Uzis, interviewed each passenger, and had canine units as well. This country just had a major wake up call while the rest of the world was fighting what we thought would never happen.

As far as riding a bike with no helmet, I can't go along with you on that one. I feel naked and vulnerable without one - tried it once. Most U.S. drivers are distracted and can't drive anyway! Notice nowadays how many drivers will do a buttonhook when they make a turn. For what? It'll get worse before you know it.

In Germany, you just can't go and get a motorcycle license and go buy the biggest bike that's available. It's a progressive license; beginner riders ride beginners bikes, and the more experience you have qualifies you to move up to bigger bikes. On top of that, most German riders ride with full gear. It only makes sense, being that if you jump on the autobahn people are doing triple digit speeds legally.

Our freedoms that we take for granted are slowly diminishing due mostly to irresponsibility, arrogance, and a lack of respect for one another. Why in this day and age are we still judging one another by the color of our skin, how much money we make, where we live, what we drive, and the kind of clothes we wear is way beyond me. I could care less what you look like, where you come from, etc. I give everybody a chance or two and if you prove to be a jack*$$, then it's a character flaw. It has nothing to do with what color your skin is, how much money you have, the neighborhood you grew up in, etc.

The politicians that occupy our government have taken it upon themselves to pass laws that they think the people need. "It's for our own good", is the excuse that they use. Case in point, the Administration is going to open up our borders to save us $4 million and boost AZ's economy, but at what cost to the trucking industry and the safety of our roads?

Sorry for the rant. I just want to get back overseas before they put this speed limit into effect. Otherwise, there's nowhere to legally and safely speed like that in the world.

[ranger309]

Headrush,

The so-called "Patriot Act" is not going to save us from terrorists and the phoney TSA hazmat driver background check is a waste of time and money or, as I call it, walldressing to make people feel like something useful is being done, when not one terrorist has been found to date by this new law.

Yet we let Mexicans cross our borders and take our jobs. Last time I check that was an "invasion". Our borders are a sieve, we are going to let thousands of Mexican steering-wheel holders ( I wont dignify them with the title of Driver) into this country and we are worried about safety and terrorism?

I dont buy it.

The problem I have with all these useless "safety laws" is that thet are used to pass even more laws, all in the name of safety, once again building on each other.

Motorcycles are inherently dangerous vehicles, (I ride one myself) so perhaps we should outlaw them as well. Don't laugh, it could happen one day, given this course.

Too, oftentimes helmets safe a life but leave the rider in a longterm carehome, seriously wounded for life, instead of a gravesite.

Where do we draw the line on this nonsense ?

As far as the enforcement of these numerous, uneeded laws, when you get pulled over by a cop these days and are shouted at to keep your *DAMN* hands in plain sight, by a man with his hands wavering near his gun and often born with a sub-par IQ, incapable of thinking for himself, or "just following orders".

Well, sir, I sure don't feel too safe myself, being possibly threatened with a gun in my face, all because I wasn't wearing a seat-belt, an act that hurts no one else.

Too many police officers are strung out on Steroids and you don't see them being tested for muscle-dope, like we are mandated to do by DOT for meth, speed, narcotics and pot.

As far as the Autobahn, I always liked the idea of something like that here , but most American drivers cant drive, they only know how to hit the "panic button" when things get hairy, then they get rear-ended by another 4 wheeled idiot who was following too closely.

[HeadRush]

Originally Posted by ranger309

Headrush,

The so-called "Patriot Act" is not going to save us from terrorists and the phoney TSA hazmat driver background check is a waste of time and money or, as I call it, walldressing to make people feel like something useful is being done, when not one terrorist has been found to date by this new law.

Yet we let Mexicans cross our borders and take our jobs. Last time I check that was an "invasion". Our borders are a sieve, we are going to let thousands of Mexican steering-wheel holders ( I wont dignify them with the title of Driver) into this country and we are worried about safety and terrorism?

I dont buy it.

The problem I have with all these useless "safety laws" is that thet are used to pass even more laws, all in the name of safety, once again building on each other.

Motorcycles are inherently dangerous vehicles, (I ride one myself) so perhaps we should outlaw them as well. Don't laugh, it could happen one day, given this course.

Too, oftentimes helmets safe a life but leave the rider in a longterm carehome, seriously wounded for life, instead of a gravesite.

Where do we draw the line on this nonsense ?

As far as the enforcement of these numerous, uneeded laws, when you get pulled over by a cop these days and are shouted at to keep your *DAMN* hands in plain sight, by a man with his hands wavering near his gun and often born with a sub-par IQ, incapable of thinking for himself, or "just following orders".

Well, sir, I sure don't feel too safe myself, being possibly threatened with a gun in my face, all because I wasn't wearing a seat-belt, an act that hurts no one else.

Too many police officers are strung out on Steroids and you don't see them being tested for muscle-dope, like we are mandated to do by DOT for meth, speed, narcotics and pot.

As far as the Autobahn, I always liked the idea of something like that here , but most American drivers cant drive, they only know how to hit the "panic button" when things get hairy, then they get rear-ended by another 4 wheeled idiot who was following too closely.

You're right Ranger! I agree. Well, with everything except for the cops on steroids part. Around here, I always run into the sissy cop talking about how dangerous his/her job is that's about 70 lbs.+ overweight. My question is, if you job is sooooo dangerous, then why are you still doing it in the shape that you're in?

I've envisioned special high speed lanes on our highways for people that have passed an extensive drivers test and vehicle inspection. I know it'll never happen though, especially with all this global warming talk and it'll just give some rights activist a soapbox to stand on.

I knew a guy that had a Kawasaki ZX-11 back in the 90's that did all of 180 m.p.h. on the Autobahn one handed! He had to use his left hand to hold his helmet on because the wind would get under it and start to suck it off his head even crouched behind his windscreen.