europe myth #2... Germans are the fastest drivers.
 

People drive fast in every european country i was in. I think though that the italians were more frightening though.

I live in Bologna and can attest to the crazy drivers here

Agree with the above, yet as my husband (who does the driving) pointed out--the Italians may be fast drivers, but he thought they were also GOOD drivers.

When my husband and I were in Europe a few months ago, we thought flew from the US to Belgium, and rented a car there, from whence we drove from Brussels, accross Europe, into Italy. Having driven through Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland and Italy in one trip, we could not believe how nutty and erratic the Italians were compared to all the other nationalities! (We spend a few days in Paris, and even driving in Paris was a breeze compared to driving through the Tuscan countryside, believe it or not!)

But think of how talented the Italian driver is! <BR>Can you drive with a cigarette in one hand, a cell phone in the other and still sip your espresso???

Just returned from Germany, Italy and France. Drove in several parts of Germany, took the train throughout Italy, and drove in France (autobahn, Paris and Normandy area). I'd say it's not a myth - Germans do fly by you at 120+ mphs, but they are very disciplined and adhere to their laws pretty much (they expect you to also, if you don't, they will let you know about it). Most of the French seemed to drive not at as excessive speeds as Germans. Though they don't mark their lanes very well, most seem to follow in a sensible enough fashion - except the motor cycles and scooters, which are the biggest problem driving in Paris. They zoom down the lane marking lines between cars as though that is their lane to use and you better leave it open for them; plus they ride anywhere: between cars and buses, even on sidewalks. While I didn't drive in Italy, the taxi rides were pretty scarey. They disregard lanes and if there is any opening space at all they go for it. I'm glad we elected the train and didn't have to drive in Italy.

Hi<BR><BR>worth noting that these days the autobahns are very busy, and have lots of strictly enforced speed limits.<BR><BR>In normal hours average speeds are faster in France.<BR><BR>Peter<BR>http://tlp.netfirms.com<BR>

German drivers are usually very disciplined. On Autobahns without speed limit they drive really fast (180-200 km/hour). Nowadays many Autobahns have a speed limit of 130 km/hour max. and (most of) the Germans respect this limit. Statistics prove that on German Autobahns there are less accidents than in other European countries. <BR>

Fact--not a myth. About 10 years ago, the London Times ran an article entitled, "German citizen sets land speed record"! It seems that in a 30 mile stretch of motorway NE of London, a German driving a Porche he had shipped from Germany, AVERAGED 160 mph! The only way the British authorities caught him was when the motorway narrowed to two lanes due to construction.<BR>When asked what his hurry, the German ace replied, "I'm on my way to see my girl-friend". Cost him $850 as I recall.<BR><BR>Jinx Hoover

In every country i experienced, whilst driving at 140kph, I was passed by more cars then what i passed (based on open highway / non-construction conditions).

Hi<BR>I just learned myself that German cars have a computer chip that limits speed to 155 mph while Italian cars don't have the chip. Learned it from Jay Leno in the current Conde Nast Traveler Magazine.<BR>alan