How exciting would it be to spend a day with the German Autobahn police?

Have you ever fantasized about driving a fast BMW on the famous German Autobahn without getting pulled over by the police? DW reporter Meggin Leigh did just that during a ridealong with high-ranking Autobahn officers - and it turned into a pretty wild ride!

CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:41 Autobahn police officers and their equipment
01:44 Accident on the highway
03:08 Vehicle check
03:55 Meggin takes an alcohol test
04:53 Speeding and speed limits
06:14 Outro

#Autobahn #Police #GermanHighway
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CREDITS
Report: Meggin Leigh
Camera: Florian Mettke
Edit: Robert Fiedler
Supervising Editor: Mirja Viehweger

Thumbnail photograph Autobahn: © picture alliance/dpa | Christian Charisiu

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[MelodyMan]

"Everyone braked, one person didn't" Love the simple approach of Germans !

[johnjackson]

On the Autobahn, the Germans are disciplined to go in left lane only to pass and after passing, immediately go back into the right lane. If drivers see high beams are flashed in rear view mirror from behind in Germany while in the left lane, the drivers know instinctively to immediately get over to the right lane because the vehicle from behind is at very high speed. Here in the United States are interstate highways full of left lane hogs who slow traffic and cause accidents.

[TheZombaslaya]

I'm from the US, I've tried the Autobahn out, and I have to say I felt safer doing 110mph there than I do going 75 back home.

[Nikgamingnl]

the rettungsgasse is a requirement, if you dont go to the side in a traffic jam, you could get fined

[pistolpete]

We were in Germany from 2017 to 2022 and for the most part the people on the autobahn know exactly what they are doing, the roads are so much better than the US, automated systems will tag you when you do something wrong. I got a ticket for following too close. They mail you the ticket with your picture. That's how great and efficient their system is. Every 2 years your car must pass inspections and you must have insurance. My 2013 Shelby GT500 has no speed limiter and on occasion I hit 200+ MPH, but this is getting rare for long distance with all the autobahn improvements.

[pfsantos]

As a non German born in Germany before coming to Canada just before my teens, I very clearly remember how disciplined most German drivers are. They take pride in their driving, the tests are tough (Dad and brother went through the rigorous learning and testing), and people move over for emergency vehicles. Lane discipline and all passing on the left only is also something beautiful to behold. Note the distance they kept from the police car at 5:29.

[antoniowood]

I rented a car in MUC and drove around Bavaria and everything from the road construction signs saying what lanes are closed, to where the autobahn is restricted and de-restricted is so clear and obvious and just makes driving so easy and simple and honestly fun

[williamschlenger]

Here in the USA there weren't any interstate highways till General Eisenhower saw the Autobahn during WWII.

[mustangfan]

I believe that attitude between German police and public is much more respectful and calm both ways in the main. I think I'm correct in saying that becoming a sworn officer in Germany is subject to a higher degree of qualification than many other countries?

[weirdshibainu]

Americans have a childish view of the Autobahn, that's it's some sort of Mad Max like free for all where one can drive as fast as they want. German licenses are expensive and require a lot of textbook time. Police have much more latitude as to why they can pull someone over. Fines are high. Most Americans simply couldn't play by the rules of the Autobahn, so stop whining we need one in the U.S.

[clarencemcgregor]

For a short time in 1973 there was a speed limit of 100 kph speed limit on the autobahns and even no drive Sundays during the so called fuel crisis. It was quite a sight to see people folksmarch in large groups on the autobahn. (walking)

[paulmcmillan]

I was stationed in Germany for two years and I must say driving on the Autobahn was a real learning experience! I was very comfortable driving high speeds, but was very cognizant of the consequences of doing so. An accident at high speed very often resulted in a fatality and I witnessed a number of them.

[bac]

Great to see you Meggin, I love watching you on Euromax. Also miss driving in Germany - so much less chaos.

[siriosstar]

the german police are super chill and very polite and helpful .
i was lost and my gps malfunctioned . i saw two police talking to a truck driver on a dar street . i pulled up jumped out of my car waving my gps in my hand and asked if they spoke english . one said yes . he fixed my gps and i was on my way .
if i tried that on a darkened street in America, i would be shot .

[PatHand-ogyd]

Here in Canada, I don’t think highway police check freight drivers for that information. Maybe just at the weigh stations. And police stopping traffic to remove debris like that? I wish!

[russellvonastel]

I got my drivers license in Frankfurt Germany, hard to get, worth every minute

[billwindsor]

Your report is excellent: concise and informative; entertaining, too. _Thank you!_

[RogierYou]

Speedlimit in Germany is like the the 2nd amendment in the US….

[jimedge]

I drove the Autobohn in 1978 in a 5 speed VW Dasher, I was 18 and was very intimidated by the speed, I cruised along at 140 km and found nearly every driver passed me like I was standing still. Was a great experience on how to drive that I've never forgotten.

[jerrydowse]

I have driven on the Autobahn many times, never felt safer.The standard of driving was totally different to here in UK.🤙