How about a link to the statistics on this. I can find plenty of confusing statistics that don't clearly support your claim. At least part of the problem is I can't find statistics that clearly delineate between the parts of the Autobahn without speed limits and the parts with speed limits. Also, most of what I do read indicates that there is little difference in rest rates between US interstates and German Autobahns as a whole (unlimited and limited sections).
And don't trucks have to obey a speed limit on all parts of the Autobahn?
Statistics that I can find, seem to indicate that other Northern European countries with speed limits (UK, Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, Finland, etc.) all have lower rest rates than Germany.
Also, don't you think cultural differences might also have an influence on the rest rates? In the US, you almost have to have a car or access to a car in most locations. In Germany, there is workable mbutt transit in most areas. As a result, the need for a car is not as pervasive and therefore driver license standards can be much stricter. I feel certain that there are quite a few drivers on the US Interstates that would not be able to secure a German Driver's license.
I found one older reference that sort of supports your claim compare rest rates on the limited and unlimited portions of the Autobahn. It did make the claim that the average speed on German Autobahns was only 80 mph. I don't know what it is on US Interstates in general, but my last few trips down I-95 have convinced me it is close to 80 in the US as well. Heck, traffic on I-40 from Raleigh to RTP (13 miles or so) averages over 70 when I drive to work in heavy traffic during the morning rush hour (buttuming no accident).
I want to make one thing clear - I don't want to go back to 55 mph speed limits. I do think speed limits, where established, should be enforced. I'll bet in Germany speed limits , where they exist, are better obeyed than in the US. It would be interesting to see statistics for the "magic" 85th percentile speed on various portions of the German Autobahn (limited and unlimited) and compare those to the 85th percentile speeds on various US Interstates.
Ed
