European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 22, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Driving from High Speed highways to Scenic byway by Randy Barnett staff writer the heavy and relentless increase in traffic is taking much of the pleasure out of driving in Europe today and this is especially the Case in Germany. But when the traffic thins out it can still. Be fun because there is a great Deal of Freedom on the highways. You Are not being followed by police cars or by unmarked patrol cars endlessly searching for speeders and traffic offenders. So you can concentrate on your driving and enjoy it. Every country in Europe has Speed limits except Germany where there is still no Speed limit on the autobahn except where posted. Most european countries Peg their Speed limits at 120 to 130 Kilometres per hour on the highways Germany has a recommended limit of 130 Kilometres. However driving at sustained High speeds in Germany is becoming rare because of traffic congestion. Although  is unified the German population movement from East to West continues at a brisk Pace and that Means More cars in Western Germany and More traffic jams than Ever during the travel season. But when the Opportunity does present itself you can pass a police car on the. Outside Lane at 130 Mph if you have a fast car. If you wrote Home about that no one would believe you. The traffic flow in what was once East Germany is much much slower however and Well get to that later. -. A with the High speeds and heavy traffic. It s obvious that driving in Europe is More demanding than it is in the United states. You must concentrate and remain Alert at All times. And that s not a bad thing. In fact for people who really like to drive that s As it should be. Weather too plays a part and in Central Europe you can always expect to do a lot of wet weather driving. The newcomer to Europe should know that Lane discipline on the highways is vital and in Germany especially so because of the wide disparities in Speed a old Volkswagen beetles Are still out there with the latest porsche. The German autobahn systems a and systems in other european countries As Well re Are highly effective because Drivers exercise Lane discipline. And that discipline includes not passing on the right. The outside Lane fast Lane is for passing and i once you be passed that other car move \ out of the fast Lane. In Germany autobahn monstrous traffic jams have become common on the German autobahn. File passing on the right hand Side is illegal. Except in slow moving Grattic tie ups. An absolute necessity while driving in Europe is the mastering of the International Road signs. These signs which change hardly at All from nation to nation Are used not Only in Europe but also in. More than 70 countries throughout the world. A a the signs make Good sense and after getting used to them it becomes Clear that pictures a rather than traffic sign wording a Are not Only easier to understand but also much faster to respond to in traffic. The use of pictures came about because of. The Many different languages used in. Europe. Defensive driving goes without saying so stay Alert and watch for the other Driver s turn signals. The majority of european Drivers use turn signals at All times. The use of seat belts Loo by both front seat and Back seat occupants is not Only highly recommended but it is also the Law in most european nations. A car in Good condition is important and especially so if you re doing Jong a. Distance travelling this summer. Be certain that your car has Good brakes Good tires and lights in perfect working order and that the rear View mirrors Are clean and. Properly adjusted. And speaking of rear View mirrors one of the most a important habits to form in defensive driving is to use those mirrors and use them constantly. Now let s look briefly at driving country by country. Germany the High speeds and crowded Road conditions have already been stressed. And with the crowded autobahn you re certain to face plenty of Grattic jams mans while travelling in. Germany this  a some of these Taus can be very Long and extremely trying especially in thereat so travel with plenty of water on Board. And if travelling with childen snacks and some word games Are a Good idea. If you must cover really Long distances and you re not concerned about sightseeing then it s a Good idea to travel in late night Early morn my hours when the traffic is thin. If travelling in former East Germany it is a Good idea to Check out your Shock absorbers. The autobahn in the East Are networks of patches on patches so far below Western Germany s High standards that it is difficult to believe. The Speed limit is 120 Kilometres per hour there but you May want to go slower. And keep Alert for potholes. While the autobahn Are bad the City roads Are even worse so be prepared for almost anything. Generally speaking the secondary roads Are in fairly goo condition. You can use Esso gasoline coupons see related Story it unlike Western Germany where autobahn rest stops Are among the Best in the world Eastern Germany has few a and \ the same goes for Roadside toilet facilities. Summing up the former last Germany is not ready for tourism and while Brief sightseeing trips Are go extended travel is a not recommended at this time. Britain and Ireland Here the Quot drive on the left Quot Rule prevails. Make it your Litany immediately after arriving and you will have no problems. A Good suggestion Lor helping keep to the left hand Side of the Road is to tie a White strip of cloth or tape to the left hand Side of the steering wheel. In the United kingdom you la find first rate highways Motorway Good secondary roads and country lanes. Some of  lanes Are so narrow that they allow room Lor just one car and Here the Quot Lay Bys Quot come in. Whoever is doses to the Lay by enters it allowing the other Carlo proceed. In , traffic. Is fairly sparse but in and around major cities congestion is the Norm. The British and Irish make maximum use of roundabouts traffic circles to avoid the use of stoplights intersections Bridges and underpasses. Basic ally the Rule governing roundabouts goes like this when entering one give Way to any traffic on the. Immediate right unless Road markings indicate otherwise but motorists should keep moving if the Way is Clear. If you miss your intended exit from a roundabout Simily go around again and have another Quot go Quot As the British say. Roundabouts work Well and you la quickly become used to them. Italy  t , but. The italians Are blessed with inherent. Driving talents. They Are capable of. Gauging narrow distances at High speeds and their ability to weave in and out of heavy traffic is unmatched. It is not by. Accident that Italy is the land of Ferrari continued on Page 52 Mav 22. 1991 stars and strikes travel Europe