Recommended speed: Exceeding this limit can have expensive consequences in the event of an accident
Created: 08/09/2022, 1:00 p.m
By: Sebastian Oppenheimer
A recommended speed of 130 km/h applies on German autobahns.
If you exceed this significantly, you can get into a lot of trouble in the event of a crash.
When it comes to a speed limit on the Autobahn in Germany, tempers quickly boil over.
But especially in times of dwindling resources and extreme fuel prices, the number of supporters is growing.
In any case, the maximum speed is already limited by signs on many sections of the motorway.
But there is also the so-called "guide speed", which causes confusion for many drivers.
What's it all about?
A so-called recommended speed of 130 km/h applies on German autobahns.
(Iconic image) © Wolfgang Maria Weber/Imago
Recommended speed: Exceeding this limit can have expensive consequences in the event of an accident
In general, there are many errors and misunderstandings when it comes to traffic regulations.
One such myth that persists is, for example, a "minimum speed" on the Autobahn.
However, there is no specific “minimum speed” on the Autobahn.
The Road Traffic Act (StVO) only stipulates that only vehicles that are capable of driving faster than 60 km/h are allowed to drive on the motorway.
Nevertheless, motorists can face penalties if they drive too slowly - like a Ford that crept along the Autobahn at 20 km/h recently.
Because the Road Traffic Regulations state in paragraph 3, paragraph 2: "Without a good reason, motor vehicles may not drive so slowly that they impede the flow of traffic." According to the Automobile Club Verkehr (ACV), the "good reasons" include weather conditions such as rain, fog or an icy road.
Recommended speed: recommendation of 130 km/h on motorways and roads similar to motorways
The “recommended speed” of 130 km/h is something else again – it applies to motor vehicles with a total weight of up to 3.5 tons on motorways and roads similar to motorways.
This is a speed recommendation if the maximum speed is not limited by appropriate signs.
According to the ADAC, this recommendation only applies if the weather conditions are appropriate.
In heavy rain or fog, the pace must be adjusted downwards accordingly.
What do these traffic signs mean?
View photo gallery
You can find even more exciting car topics in the free newsletter from 24auto.de, which you can subscribe to right here.
also read
Subscription car extras: tuners unlock expensive functions
When the air conditioner stinks: How to really get rid of the musty smell
Recommended speed: If you exceed the speed limit significantly, you may be jointly liable in the event of an accident
Anyone who does not adhere to the recommended speed on sections of the motorway without a speed limit does not have to fear a fine or points, because exceeding it is not a regulatory offence.
Nevertheless, you should not completely ignore the recommended speed - because if you damage another road user by exceeding it, you can get into serious trouble.
Because disregarding the recommended speed increases the risk of an accident, there may be a risk of joint liability in the event of a crash.
This means that anyone who is speeding in the left lane and hitting a vehicle that suddenly swerves can certainly be partly to blame if they significantly exceed the recommended speed.
The case of a Mercedes-AMG driver was similar: He was sentenced by the Nuremberg Higher Regional Court to pay damages of 12,000 euros because he crashed into the communication barrier with the rented vehicle when he operated the infotainment system at a speed of 200 (Az. 13 U 1296/17).