The majority of regular drivers in Germany are against a general speed limit of 130 km/h on highways, according to a recent study by the automobile club Mobil in Deutschland e.V. The introduction of a general speed limit on Germany’s highways was one of the most controversial topics in the recent federal election campaign. A study by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) found that 64% of the general population support a general speed limit of 130 km/h on highways. However, the Mobil in Deutschland e.V. study shows that the proportion of people who want a speed limit is significantly lower among regular drivers. More than half (52%) of those most affected by the introduction of such a limit are “rather against” or “against” a general speed limit.
The authors of the Mobil in Deutschland e.V. study explain the significant discrepancy between their results and previous studies by stating that the wrong groups of people were surveyed previously. According to Dr. Michael Haberland, President of Mobil in Deutschland e.V., it is wrong to ask people who never drive or do not have a driver’s license about a speed limit on highways. The puls market research GmbH therefore only surveyed people who regularly drive. In total, 591 people participated in the survey.
Dr. Haberland comments that there is no sensible argument for a general speed limit on highways and that this discussion is pure symbolism. He believes that it is important to survey the right target group for any survey, study, or market research, and this should also apply to political decisions. He also believes that the discussion about a general speed limit is an expression of weak politics combined with hatred of cars. Mobil in Deutschland e.V. therefore calls for no general speed limit on highways.
