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How good are American roads?

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193 points chmaynard | 5 comments | 20 Nov 24 14:45 UTC | HN request time: 1s | source
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glitchc ◴[20 Nov 24 15:57 UTC] No.42195086[source]▶
A good comparison point would be Germany. It has a very large network of roads too, some designed for very high speeds, and a strong driving culture (perhaps stronger than the continental US).
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kunwon1 ◴[20 Nov 24 17:34 UTC] No.42196291[source]▶
I'm an American, I lived in Germany for several years around the turn of the century. German roads that I encountered were far superior to American roads. Their construction is far more robust, the roads last much longer. And with German lane discipline (passing someone on the right is practically a cultural taboo, it's a prohibition that's taken quite seriously) they are usually a joy to drive on.
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1. PaulDavisThe1st ◴[20 Nov 24 19:33 UTC] No.42197307[source]▶
I found the autobahn utterly nerve-wracking to drive on.

In the US, on an interstate, the MPH spread around the speed limit is probably -20 to +20 (i.e. limit is 75, slowest cars are at 55, fastest at 95)

In Germany, on autobahns, you have speed ratios of up to 2x. You have to constantly be 110% aware of every vehicle within 1/4 mile of you, because you could either be closing in the much slower vehicle in front of you, or suddenly approached and passed by a much faster vehicle from behind.

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2. cr1895 ◴[20 Nov 24 20:11 UTC] No.42197647[source]▶
>You have to constantly be 110% aware of every vehicle within 1/4 mile of you,

Not such a terrible thing honestly...

Personally, I find the lack of predictability on US interstates is much riskier. I'm pretty sure the accident statistics back this up too.

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3. jcadam ◴[20 Nov 24 20:45 UTC] No.42197926[source]▶
Absolutely. I was stationed in Germany for 3 years while I was in the Army. You could be in the left lane of the Autobahn, doing 90+ passing a truck, and suddenly a Ferrari that wasn't there 5 seconds ago is right behind you, flashing its headlights demanding you get out of the way (apparently you're supposed to merge into the side of a semi).
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4. rascul ◴[20 Nov 24 23:35 UTC] No.42199293[source]▶
The qualifications to drive in some states are barely more than ability to breathe.
5. Woeps ◴[21 Nov 24 08:36 UTC] No.42202289[source]▶
When I'm driving trough Germany I always encounter at least one worker van going the speed of light and flashing the <insert sport car> for going to slow.