The Authobahn, Germany’s system of high-speed roads, is a paradise for hundreds of thousands of drivers, many of them non-Germans. When asked why they like the Autobahn so much, many of them will mention the quality of the roads, the high-tech management of the system or the fact that they are among the safest roads in the world; but the main reason why the Autobahn actually has an official fan club is the famous no speed limit.

In Germany, a country normally bound by rules, this represents a real treasure for most of the Germans which actually regard driving as a hobby.

Nevertheless, the no speed limit tradition which made the Autobahn famous is now under threat as Germany’s Social Democrat party suggested that the implementing of a speed limit on the country’s high-speed motorways would reduce both CO2 emissions along with the accident rate.

The proposition found support amid the environmentalists which also believe that imposing a top speed of 130 kilometers per hour (80mph) would be a good idea.

On the other hand, lobbying against the possible measure are obviously the drivers that enjoy their fast cars on the country’s 7,600-mile autobahn network that has no speed limit.

The environmental experts hired by the SPD asserted that a limit of 120 or 130kph could reduce CO2 emissions by 9% or more.

"A blanket limit of 130kph would be a quick and un-bureaucratic way in which to increase climate protection," said the SPD chairman, Kurt Beck.

In the other side of the table is Bernd Osterloh, head of the works committee of Volkswagen, and he’s not the only one. His opinion on this matter was that the measure is pointless because in the mean time the cars had already become more environmentally friendly.

"It's a dreamlike idea. For one thing speed limits hardly reduce a car's already very low CO2 emissions, so it's silly for politicians to keep clubbing the automobile industry between the legs with this," was his exact statement for Bild newspaper.

Other car lobbyists criticized SPD’s proposal and said that such a measure would harm the car industry because the production of high-speed cars has helped to drive up crash safety standards. Another bad effect of a speed limit would be the detrimental effect on trade with the United States.

The only speed limits on the Autobahn are the following:

60 km/h
•    Buses carrying standing passengers
•    Motorcycles pulling trailers
•    Vehicles with a gross weight rating exceeding 3.5 t

80 km/h
•    Passenger cars and trucks with trailers
•    Buses or Coaches
100 km/h
•    Vehicles with a gross weight rating not exceeding 3.5 t pulling trailers certified for 100 km/h
•    Buses or Coaches certified for 100 km/h not pulling trailers.