Why Is the Motorway Network So Big in Germany?

In the early 1900s, few a group of wealthy people, Germany’s highway adventure, which started with the desire for a road isolated from human traffic in order to use its vehicles comfortably and putting pressure on the government, was interrupted during the First World War due to lack of resources, but in the future, Germany would be the first country that comes to mind when the highway is mentioned.

Today, with a highway network of approximately 13,000 km in total, It is the longest highway in Europe and the world 3rd longest highway. America is in the first place and China is in the second place.

A limited limitless

First of all, German highways, which are popular for having no speed limit on their highways, are not entirely speed-limited highways, contrary to popular belief. The opportunity to push the limits of the vehicle, regardless of the speed limit, in Germany all Does not apply to autobahns.

Currently on approximately 40% of highways there is a speed limit. If you do not follow the rules in areas with speed limits, you face fines. Also, no speed limit applies only to cars. Heavy vehicles such as trucks and lorries are subject to speed limits in every part of the highway.

If we talk about the remaining 60%, no official restrictions but according to the German Ministry of Justice, the recommended speed is 130 km/h. In other words, contrary to popular belief, although not all highways are exempt from the speed limit, it is of course interesting that there are highways without speed limits in some parts of the world.

Its history dates back to ancient times.

Although the history of the emergence and first construction of the highway dates back to before that, some of the highways used in Germany today are still being built. during the Nazi era started.

President of the National Socialist German Workers Party, which came to power by winning the majority after the 1933 German Federal elections Hitlershortly after being elected, quickly and enthusiastically embarked on highway projects.

The process started with the highway built between Frankfurt and Darmstadt with the project, in which German Civil Engineer General FritzTodt was assigned. Also, according to the information obtained from the notes of many American visitors in the 1930s, when highways were started to be built, they would actually use the highways in Germany. The use of motor vehicles was not very common.

Auschwitz Concentration Camp in Poland, 1940

Since it was only in the hands of wealthy Germans to own a car, the possibility of German citizens with normal incomes being able to own cars was the subject of the party’s election propaganda. Even, “people’s car” The establishment of Volkswagen Group, which means Volkswagen Group, takes place exactly at this time.

While the highway was first built, it was not intended to travel at a speed of 200 kilometers per hour, but it was thought to have an effect in favor of war logistics. According to the Nazis’ 1934 Highway Project, the target was 1000km of road every year was to build.

The ones brought from the concentration camps throughout the construction and especially in the most dangerous parts of the construction. slaves were worked. Despite this, the target set could not be achieved due to the lack of workforce. In addition, the highways built due to the fuel problem were not as effective as thought.

What happens if you don’t follow the rules on the highway?

Sunset on the Aachen motorway

If you do not comply with the speed limits set outside the city on German motorways, the speed limit over 20 km/h fines are applied according to the speeding violation. If you exceed the speed limit by more than 20 km/h, you may encounter the application of the suspension of your license.

In addition, deterrent penalties are applied for illegal behaviors such as wrong parking, drunk driving, not paying attention to pedestrian crossings in the city with seat belts. You can view the details of the penalties here.