I spent last week driving the new 2010 Volkswagen Golf through the country formerly known as Eastern Germany. A full Test Drive on the Golf will be forthcoming, but suffice to say it's very much like the 2009 Golf -- except a little better in every way (when you've got the best-selling car in Europe it's not easy -- or smart -- to make radical changes).
While the new Golf wasn't much of a surprise, the driving experience over three days and 300 miles in Deutschland was. I'd driven in Germany before, but it was 10 years ago and mostly through the congested streets of Frankfurt. This time I drove from Wolfsburg to Dresden to Berlin, with a few side trips in between.
I was also driving with Csaba Csere, former editor of Car & Driver, and one of our many conversation points was the vastly different driving experience between German and the U.S. roads.
As such, I'd like to present the Top 10 Differences Between German and American Drivers:
10. No Clunkers Allowed -- I didn't see one rusty body panel, dented fender or broken taillight. Why? Because what you drive is as important as how you drive to Germans (and Europeans in general), so even their eligible cash-for-clunker candidates look and run great.
9. Premium Everywhere -- As you may or may not know Mercedes-Benz isn't a premium luxury brand in Germany, it's just a vehicle brand. That means everyone over there drives one, not just the wealthy or the leftover hippie smelling of vegatable oil. Same for BMWs.
8. No Yellow Lines -- It took me awhile to realize it, but I never saw a yellow painted line on the road. Not a huge deal in the country, but when trying to discern a one-way street from a two-way street in the city this adds a layer of apprehension. No double lines, either.
7. Consistency -- I saw only a few abrupt (aka boneheaded) moves while in Germany (cars darting between lanes, slamming on their brakes for no apparent reason or otherwise presenting a rolling hazard). And I'm pretty sure those few were perpetrated by American tourists...
6. Trucks Stay Right -- Trucks are slow in both countries, but German truck drivers actually acknowledge it by STAYING OUT OF PASSING LANES. Quite astonishing really. It's like they know passing another truck (and taking 10 minutes to do it) isn't doing anyone any good.
5. Cops? Hello??? -- Maybe I was too enthralled with my average rate of speed to notice them, but I don't remember seeing a single traffic cop, or anyone pulled over. Either they trust the country's drivers or they have more important crimes to prevent. Maybe a bit of both.
4. Speed Limits -- These do exist on much of the Autobahn, but as mentioned above I didn't see any active enforcement. Most people settle in around 75 mph, but a consistent percentage of cars go considerably faster with no ill effect on overall traffic flow.
3. Roads Don't Suck -- There was more road work going on than I remember from 10 years ago, but the payoff was a complete lack of potholes and ruts. This is why European cars generally have stiffer suspensions than U.S. models -- European roads make it a non-issue.
2. Land of Supercars -- On the trip from Hanover's airport to the Wolfsburg hotel, just minutes after getting off the plane, a white Bugatti Veyron blasted by our bus doing at least 150 mph. No nearby car show, auction or race event needed. Just 1,000 hp out for a drive.
1. SLOW TRAFFIC STAY RIGHT -- This is appreciated from the trucks (as mentioned in #7 above), but pure nirvana in the car world. You can actually use the left lane to pass at almost any time...unless you happen upon another American driver obliviously camped out there -- just like back home...
By pushrod
on October 13, 2009
06:32 AM
one #1: This isn't by any means definitive, but it seems to me that, in various US states and Canadian provinces where the signs say "keep right except to pass", there are fewer left lane bandits. When the signs say "slower traffic keep right", its as if people take that as an insult ("who are THEY calling SLOW? I'll show them!") and insist on cruising in the passing lane. It doesn't mean there aren't any issues in the first instance, but it just seems like there are fewer of them. I also seem to recall that some states have fines for anyone being in the left line but aren't passing, or completing a pass. Not that it would matter if it isn't enforced in a meaningful way.
As for #6: I believe that, except for emergencies or when absolutely required, trucks in Germany (and other parts of Europe) aren't allowed in the passing lane, period, and the consequences for the driver are supposedly pretty stiff. I don't know this for sure, just something I seem to recall hearing second-hand from friends in Germany and England.
By ulf187
on October 13, 2009
06:57 AM
Watch out on #4. Tehy wills tand at the side of the road with radar traps either pulling you over later or sending you the ticket to your home adress, in this case the rental company. Also thers the stealth bmw, mercedes and audis which follow you, tape you and then pull you over if you speed or break the law.
By oberg
on October 13, 2009
07:33 AM
#1. Best way to handle this in the US when there are three or more lanes is to stay right. The right lane is often the least traveled lane since everyone cruises in the middle or left lane. Right lane is usually clear sailing.
By wobbly_ears
on October 13, 2009
08:49 AM
#3 is the reason why I believe that the Transportation infrastructure in US is crumbling rapidly & people are oblivious to it. I get into repeated arguments with my friends when I say that US roads suck & I believe most US freeways these days are on way to becoming 3rd world-like roads. (I should know, I'm a Transportation Engineer!).
#7. The reason why drivers in Europe are better is because their driving tests are very stringent. In US, you'll get a license if you can breath (even that is optional in Texas!)
I think this is one of the reasons why I feel that more Americans need to visit a foreign country at least once in their lives. Good roads, disciplined & capable drivers, good culture & Good Healthcare for All would show that not everything in America is the best.
Amirite Karl??
By lvranger
on October 13, 2009
03:02 PM
But Karl, SPEED KILLS!!! Oh wait, if you properly maintain your roads and properly train your drivers it doesn't. But wait, that takes hard work and costs money! Oh well, lets just dump a few more million into the click it or ticket campain for MAXIMUM SAFETY.
Thank goodness there are still entertaining roads away from people. Its just gets harder to find some every year.
By ocramida
on October 13, 2009
04:04 PM
I had the exact same experience in Belgium. Better roads, better drivers and oh the people are friendly without being faux polite. And car rentals even come in a manual if you so choose.
The most defining moment I had in Europe was when the waiter didn't bend to my every whim. Since they don't live on tips they don't pretend to like you to get tips. So refreshing.
Heaven...
By savetheland
on October 13, 2009
06:23 PM
The difference between USA and Germany is in Germany laws are enforced and in US not. In US drivers (and illegal immigrants) violate laws right before eyes and police ignores it. America is a country of lawyers but of laws. In Germany car next to you may be police car with camera - you will never notice it but you will get ticket with photo attached in your regular mail. Try to not keep distance in Germany - in US it is national sport, but in Germany you will get ticket with photo made by hidden camera on side of the road or from bridge.
It is true that German cars are not considered luxury, like American cars are not considered luxury in America. I remember cross-shopping A4, Vectra and Mondeo and they cost almost the same - no big difference. Of course Audi was more expensive but not much.
To get license I attended driver’s school for several months and we studied not only traffic laws but also how modern car works in details and how to maintain and make simple repairs.
And those crazy drivers most likely are from Southern or Eastern Europe than US.
You did not mention differnec in traffic signs. In US it is much easier to read and understand them. In Europe I could easily figure out only few common signs, even after passing exam. All others were like riddles and when I saw them on the road at high speed I got puzzled. I like yellow double line in US. It is clearily defined and visible but most people ignore it and may stop in the middle of the street to make left turn which is forbidden and of course police does not care. I am not sure than police in US knows traffic laws.
By estreka
on October 14, 2009
01:06 AM
The biggest solution to all these problems is to up the ante for getting a license. Of course no state will do that because it would limit people's income, and thus taxes collected.
By tiruvan
on October 15, 2009
04:52 AM
"As you may or may not know Mercedes-Benz isn't a premium luxury brand in Germany, it's just a vehicle brand. That means everyone over there drives one, not just the wealthy or the leftover hippie smelling of vegatable oil. Same for BMWs"
So what is luxury out there? Only few can afford a Ferrari/Rolls-Royce and even fewer a car like Veyron. So what's the equivalent of a Benz/BMW status in America? 911? Corvette maybe?
"It took me awhile to realize it, but I never saw a yellow painted line on the road. Not a huge deal in the country, but when trying to discern a one-way street from a two-way street in the city this adds a layer of apprehension. No double lines, either."
I'm happy we have them here in the United States.
Like another commenter said one should always make an effort to visit overseas be it Europe, Asia or Africa. How else will you know where your country stands in the world (please don't say media)?
By chavis10
on October 15, 2009
06:30 AM
Interesting observations.
By oscarmv
on October 15, 2009
08:53 AM
Lower-level Audi/BMW/MB cars are probably not considered luxury in Germany (unlike many other European countries, Germany just happens to have a very high standard of living), but the higher numbered ones sure are.
Remember also that in Europe you can option up a VW Golf up to the point where it costs far more than a base A3. Many people who want all those options will just go for the A3 (which will still end up being a little more expensive than the equivalent Golf, but not that much).
By savetheland
on October 15, 2009
05:52 PM
Luxury cars are A8, 7-series and S600. E class is premium car but not truly luxury, it is was good for taxi use though since was sturdy and well built. Ford Scorpio was almost in the same league, then Ford decided to bring Lincoln LS intead but never did. Ford gave up on European premium market or may be they thought Jaguar will replace Scorpio. But Jaguar was not popular, it is kind of overpriced and lower quality.
By zanardi10
on October 26, 2009
12:17 PM
On the lack of clunkers, several hypotheses. First, there are stricter collision-repair rules: generally in most of Europe if you bend the car the cops send it off to an impound lot and from there it goes to a repair shop. That takes a lot of dinged-and-dented vehicles off the road. Americans would probably not like this since it removes some freedom, as in "Hey, it'll buff right out, I'll drive it!" (grin) There are also tighter car inspection rules. But I think the main reason was as explained to me by a BMW guy years ago: most Europeans have one parking spot, or if a garage at all, one space there. Thus one car per family (I think France averages 1.1 cars per household, USA is about 2.3): thus, too, the old joke, "Europeans buy cars, Americans manage fleets." When you express your family's face to the world with only one car, you tend to put more money into it and turn it over more quickly: thus the USA has the oldest fleet in the OECD (about 9 years I think, Germany is more like 6), too. I guess it would apply to anything: if you had just ONE of something, you'd have a pretty nice one...