[Myrddin]

I've driven plenty in Germany on the autobahn. You see two situations. Fast cars with not a scratch and accidents where all involved are dead with totally destroyed vehicles. I have yet to see an in between case. The damned big trucks make travel a chore. Fortunately, there are "no truck" days during the week.

The Germans are so hung up on finally earning a driver's license that you will find cards celebrating the acquistion of the "Fuehrerschein" at most card shops. Frankly, I think they all drive like teenagers with hot Corvette. I'm thankful to be finished with my contract work there. It was an interesting experience.

[NMFXSTC]

I agree here, Myrddin...partially. I wouldn'y say they are "hung up" on getting a DL, but they do pay, on average, in excess of 2 grand to farchule and pay insurance, maintain vehicles very well, etc.

The autobahn can be frightening (I lived in FRG for 9 years), but it is predictible! That driver in the left lane IS gonna overtake you and get back in line in a hurry so that other guy coming up can overtake you both! And the signal! Imagine that? Actually using turn signals and passing lights!

The trucks can be a pain, but...they do have restrictive days and times.

Yep...I fel mucho safer on the 'bahn than on the interstates.

[Bartholomew Roberts]

I just got back from Germany where in one leg I made it from Bonn to Kiel (345 miles) in under 4 hours. In a Volvo Cross Country. The only bad drivers I saw on the road were Brits and Nederlanders.

I thought the locals did an admirable job of driving fast but safely.

Maybe you were in East Germany where the ex-East Germans still drive their Trabants and pull out in front of you at 39 mph when you are closing 100 mph more! I wish Americans were as courtious as the German drivers!

[eno_]

Germans actually drive mellower after a couple drinks. When sober they are effing nuts. But there is one thing you should know: German and Austrian police DISPLAY the wrecks in front of police stations, as a warning. So the deadly wreck image is really at least as much the result of an official propaganda policy as it is anything else.