Trip to Germany -- The Autobahn

Driving on the autobahn is an experience all should have. First, the quality and discipline of the German drivers is wonderful. The left lane is used only for passing; once done the driver immediately pulls out of the left lane. Second, there are areas where there is no speed limit. There is a sign, round, with four diagonal strips, that means no speed limit. Here is the something important: the autobahns in Germany are the safest roads in the world. The Germans have not bought into our "Nanny State" way of thinking that has led us wrongly to believe that speed itself is unsafe. (What is unsafe is following too close, weaving in and out, texting, and so on). The German word for "exit" is "Ausfahrt."

We rented a Mazda6 diesel that I took up to 160 KPH a few times. That works out to about 100 MPH. I did not want to go any faster. Further, even the Porsche Turbos and S Class Mercedes were not going much faster.