All things considered, what is the best European country for motorists?

"MegaSuper" (megasuper) 04/11/2015 at 23:51 • Filed to: None

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I think I'll put the most obvious contenders (and non-contenders) out there first:

Germany has the Autobahn, but very strict licensing requirements, speed cameras, and lane discipline. Also, despite what people commonly think A) The autobahn is not de-restricted everywhere, B) German states (Länder I think they're called) reserve the right to set their own limits (I think so far only the smallest state, Bremen, has done so), C) Variable speed limits can be added at any time due to traffic or weather, and D) If you're involved in an accident at over 155mph, you're automatically at fault, even if you didn't cause it. (I think this is why so many German cars are electronically limited to that speed.)

The UK has legendary countryside and curvy roads, as well as a speed limit of 60mph (50 in some towns) for any road that is not a motorway that is also not in a built-up area. (I think it's 70 on motorways) (I'd imagine this is why British manufacturers tend to specialize in handling and trackday specials; you can actually use that performance legally outside of town on curvy country lanes. Plus roundabouts.) On the other hand, speed cameras galore (although perhaps all of Europe is like this to some degree) and the MOT (car inspections) can be pretty strict. Also, AFAIK, the fuel/petrol taxes in the UK are among the highest in Europe.

Isle of Man (UK Crown Dependency) has no speed limits at all as long as you're outside of town…there's only one town so that's pretty easy! But maybe Germany is better because it's larger, and hence you can actually get your cars serviced and stuff? Plus all the great car museums? (Although I guess that's not really motoring in the strictest sense of the word...)

Italy has gorgeous countryside and roads too, but the dreaded "Average speed cameras" are quite prolific on the autostrada, and I think they tax the hell out of cars over a certain displacement now.

Switzerland has noise limits, and it's illegal for advance warning of speed cameras to be posted. (So you'll never see a sign saying "speed camera ahead"). I think their constitution even says that auto racing of any kind is banned (that includes racetracks too). Yikes!

Finland, speeding tickets are a percentage of your income. So you could theoretically get a 100,000 Euro speeding ticket if you're a squintillionaire.

France, I don't think is super good or super bad in any direction, although some people can't stand "Priorité à droite" (as far as I understand it, this means that the person on your right ALWAYS has the right-of-way. So if you're on a 4-lane country road, and some guy wants to get in off some dirt path on your right, you have to slow down to let him in, even though he's the one turning and coming from a smaller road.)

Netherlands I heard is not so good; they invented speed cameras as far as I know. Plus major traffic jams, especially during the summer. Small, dense country and all that.

And uh…Belgium? I once read that their highway network, along with the Great Wall of China, are the only man-made objects that can be seen from space. Really doesn't make any difference for the average motorist, but what a concept!

Don't know much specifically about Spain, Portugal, the Republic of Ireland, Austria, Eastern Europe, the Balkans, the Baltics, the microstates (Monaco is epic for car-watching but probably too tiny to really go out for a drive!), or the Scandinavian countries (other than that they're gorgeous but have low speed limits due to elk and other dangerous beasts. I also heard that in Sweden you can import any car you want regardless of how old it is.)

Anyways, I turn it over to you now Oppo!

RyanFrew > MegaSuper 04/12/2015 at 00:09

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Germany, hands down. Half of the negatives that you listed are actually positives:

Strict licensing requirements means the best drivers in the world

Excellent cars can be had on the cheap

The Autobahn, while not de-restricted everywhere, is de-restricted in a lot of places and in excellent shape everywhere

A lot of country roads are considered to have no speed limit as well

Everyone passes on the left and then gets out of the way

The 'Ring

Variable speed limits are great and should exist everywhere

You're automatically at fault if you're doing >155mph in every part of Europe (and the world)

Gas isn't super expensive in comparison to some other European countries

I'm sure there are more...

MegaSuper > RyanFrew 04/12/2015 at 00:12

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True. You're totally right about the licensing requirements —> quality of drivers, I was just mentioning it because I heard it can be very expensive to pay for all the lessons. (Same as in Sweden I heard, you have to do a wet-weather track or something like that.)

I wasn't trying to say the >155mph was a negative, just pointing out that it's not "OMG 110% UNRESTRICTED OVERDRIFT MANNNNN!" that some people think.

Could you explain "A lot of country roads are considered to have no speed limit as well" ? I've never heard that before. Is that an actual law or are you just saying there's lax enforcement?

Arben72 > MegaSuper 04/12/2015 at 00:20

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Albania- Pros: Speedlimits, Ya they exist but who the hell enforces them. Road quality isn't that bad, many winding mountain roads. Everyone else drives fast, you'll fit in. The views are amazing. Huge car enthusiast community, with plenty impromptu tracks. Cheap mechanics and fuel prices aren't too bad either.

Cons: People die driving there a lot.

Dunnik > RyanFrew 04/12/2015 at 00:45

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Yea, I'd say Germany, followed by Italy.

E. Julius > RyanFrew 04/12/2015 at 03:34

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Fuck I still paid 75€ to fill up a Skoda Rapid in Germany. Give me some American backroads any day.

KatzManDu > MegaSuper 04/12/2015 at 04:31

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factor in vehicle registration and insurance costs and Germany and the UK come out on top. Look at my posts about Belgian car registration costs for some scary stats.

Smoggi - powered by 3 cylinders > MegaSuper 04/12/2015 at 04:45

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As a german I have never actually heard of this >155 mph rule you're talking about...

However there is a rule that you are partially at fault in a collision that occured over 130km/h