German study says 130 kmh autobahn speed limit could save up to 90 lives a year

30 articles·20 sources·updated about 3 hours ago·View in graph

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A new study suggests that implementing a speed limit of 130 km/h on German autobahns could save up to 90 lives annually. The study, conducted by Siegfried Brockmann from the Björn Steiger Stiftung, indicates that such a measure could reduce the number of traffic fatalities by 25 to 30 percent.

"At a maximum speed of 130 kilometers per hour, there would be 25 to 30 percent fewer fatalities on federal autobahns, which corresponds to about 70 to 90 people," said Brockmann. Although this represents only 3 percent of all traffic fatalities, it is a significant effect for a single measure.

Germany is one of the few countries without a general speed limit on its highways. While many other countries have implemented speed limits, Germany has maintained its policy of allowing drivers to travel at high speeds on many sections of the autobahn. However, the debate over introducing a general speed limit has been ongoing for years.

The Federal Ministry of Transport has repeatedly rejected the idea of a general speed limit, while many associations and experts support it. The study by Brockmann is the latest contribution to this debate.

In 2025, more than 2,800 people died in traffic accidents in Germany, with 292 of those fatalities occurring on autobahns. Brockmann's study suggests that a speed limit could have a positive effect on road safety.

"Almost all other states have binding speed limits on highways," Brockmann noted. The highest regular highway speed limits in Europe are found in Poland (140 km/h) and on individual pilot routes in the Czech Republic (150 km/h).

Studies from Austria, the Netherlands, and the USA have shown reductions in serious accidents or traffic fatalities when speed limits are implemented. However, Brockmann pointed out that there are no comparative studies for Germany, and previous studies from the 1970s and early 2000s have limited applicability to today's conditions.

Brockmann suggests testing the effects of speed limits on autobahns for one year or introducing experimental sections with different speed limits. However, this would require the approval of the Federal Ministry of Transport.

The debate over speed limits on German autobahns is not new. Proponents argue that it would improve road safety and reduce emissions, while opponents claim it would infringe on personal freedom and have little impact on safety.

Meanwhile, other countries are taking different approaches to traffic management. In Switzerland, ships on Lake Biel have reduced their speed to 18 km/h, resulting in a 10 percent reduction in fuel consumption and up to 100 tons of CO2 saved annually. The slower speed has not received complaints from passengers, who are there for relaxation, not speed.

In Spain, there is a debate about reintroducing tolls on highways to fund infrastructure maintenance. The Catalan government is considering reintroducing tolls on the AP-7 highway within two or three years.

These examples highlight different approaches to managing traffic and improving road safety. While Germany debates the introduction of a speed limit on its autobahns, other countries are implementing measures to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, or considering tolls to fund infrastructure maintenance.

As the discussion continues, the focus remains on finding effective strategies to improve road safety and manage traffic more efficiently.

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