Autobahn speed limit threat

Stavros Dimas, the EU's Environment Commissioner has made calls for Germany to place speed limits on the entire Autobahn network as a way of cutting CO2 emissions from fast-moving traffic. Mr Dimas also said, in an interview with German newspaper Bild Am Sonntag, that there would be many safety benefits too.

Thankfully, and this is where Germany-bound car nuts can breathe a sigh of relief, the German government has responded by saying that as the Autobahn network only accounts for 2% of Germany's total road mileage, the CO2 cut would only be in the region of half a percentage point. Th German transport ministry reckons that's not a sufficient benefit to make the changes. Phew.