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Germany thinking about speed limit on autobahn

Autobahn Speed - Level 0

Germany may put a speed limit on its autobahn. The autobahn is 12,996 kilometers long. There is no speed limit for many cars. Some areas like accidents spots or roads that are being repaired have a limit. Germany may put a 130kph limit on all parts of the autobahn. It has to cut its greenhouse gases.

Many drivers are unhappy and do not want a limit, even if other countries have one. Politicians say a speed limit will never become law. A German newspaper disagreed with any speed limit. It wrote: "Our autobahn roads are a symbol of freedom. 'Tested on German autobahn' is a quality seal. There are enough speed limits."

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Autobahn Speed - Level 1

Germany may put a speed limit on its autobahn highways. The autobahn is 12,996 kilometers long. There is no speed limit for many cars. Some areas like spots that have accidents or roads that are being repaired have a limit. On some parts, there is a suggested speed of 130kph. Germany may put this limit on all parts of the autobahn. It has to meet fuel emission targets set by the EU. It has to cut environmental damage caused by cars that drive fast.

Many drivers are unhappy with a speed limit. They do not want one, even if other countries have one. Politicians say a speed limit will never become law. One politician said a speed limit was not practical. A German newspaper disagreed with any speed limit. It wrote: "Our autobahn roads are a symbol of freedom. 'Tested on German autobahn' is a quality seal. There are enough speed limits." Germany could get fined if it does not cut greenhouse gases.

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Autobahn Speed - Level 2

Slowest

Germany may put a speed limit on its autobahn network of highways. The autobahn is 12,996 kilometers long. There is no speed limit on it for many vehicles. There are limits in some areas, like spots that have accidents, or roads that are being repaired. On some parts of the network, there is an advisory speed limit of 130 kph (80 mph). Germany may now put a speed limit on all parts of the autobahn. It has to meet fuel emission targets set by the European Union. It wants to reduce the damage done to the environment by cars that drive fast.

Many drivers are unhappy with a possible speed limit. They do not want the 130kph limit, even if other EU countries have it. Politicians say Germany's government would never pass a speed limit law. One politician said: "I don't think the suggestion of a speed limit is practical." One of Germany's best-selling newspapers disagreed with any speed limit. It wrote: "Our autobahn roads are a symbol of freedom. 'Tested on German autobahn' is a quality seal. There are enough speed limits." Germany could face big EU fines if it does not cut its greenhouse gases.

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Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Autobahn Speed - Level 3

Germany may put a speed limit on its world famous autobahn network of highways. The autobahn has a total length of about 12,996 kilometers. There is no speed limit on it for many types of vehicles. However, there are limits in some built-up areas, spots that are accident-prone, or roads that are under construction or undergoing repairs. On the parts of the network on which there is no limit, there is an advisory speed limit of 130 kilometers per hour (80 mph). Germany's government may now put a speed limit on all parts of the autobahn. This is because Germany has to meet fuel emission targets set by the European Union. It wants to reduce the damage done to the environment by cars that drive fast.

Many drivers in Germany are unhappy with a possible speed limit on the autobahn. They do not want the 130kph limit, even though that is normal in other EU countries. Some politicians say the proposed speed limit will never get passed in Germany's government. One politician, Ulrich Lange, said: "I don't think the suggestion of a speed limit is practical." One of Germany's best-selling newspapers Bild Zeitung disagreed with the speed limit. It wrote: "Our autobahn roads are a symbol of freedom. 'Tested on German autobahn' is a quality seal. There are enough speed limits." Germany could face big EU fines if it does not reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

SPEED READING

Speed 1    |     Speed 2    |     Speed 3

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25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson