“One in Four German Motorists Speed” – Report

A study carried out by Continental revealed that 25 per cent of motorists in Germany “frequently” drive faster than the legal speed limit. However, when it comes to assessing other motorists’ behaviour, 92 per cent believed that other motorists speed “often, very often, or always.” It will probably come as little surprise that younger drivers are the worst offenders, with almost half of the 18-25 age group exceeding speed limits.

Speeding in built-up areas is relatively rare, with most breaches of the limit taking place on main roads and country roads. According to traffic safety researcher Dr. Dieter Ellinghaus, this is reflected in accident statistics, as almost two thirds of motoring-related deaths occur on country roads and almost one in three people die as a result of a collision with a tree. “Many car drivers seem unaware of the special risks and hazards involved in driving on country roads,” Sys Dr. Ellinghaus.