Originally Posted by alex0683de
Amen to that last sentence.
Another thing: when you're driving fast, you stay really focused (or at least I do). I think it's at least as dangerous to be crawling along at 100 kph (60 miles) like in the States or in Scandinavia because your mind starts to wander or you start daydreaming and that's when accidents happen.
I'll agree on that one as well. Last time I was over in Germany, I got a car (MB C-class Kompressor) that let me actually really enjoy the pleasures of the left lane. When I drive in Germany, I notice that I'm much more alert, looking a few cars ahead to see slowdowns, and *much* more aware of what's coming up behind me (since you're required to move over for faster-moving traffic on the autobahn).
Plus, even with that, you're still accellerating / decelerating more often than a rural US interstate, so you don't get lulled into that "zone" when you've got the cruise control on.
Every time I come back home to Chicago, I spend the first week or so frustrated at all the clueless people on the road clogging the left lane, not paying atention, etc. that I just didn't have to deal with in Germany.