The Big Lie About Germany

My Podcast:

Watch UNICORN TOWN For Free Worldwide Here:

OR in the USA:

My Patreon:

My Instagram:

0:00 Why I'm making this video
1:42 People
2:28 Speed
3:25 Discipline
5:00 Crash on couch
6:40 Skills
8:18 Safety
9:02 Construction
9:44 Stressful
10:02 How you should think about it

[Annie_in_wonderland_]

As a German who has lived in the US my experience is somewhat different from yours when it comes to the stress factor. Driving in the US was extremely stressful for me…idiots in huge trucks, that’s about as stressful as it can be! No one follows any rules, you’re constantly slowed down by drivers who are just „chillin‘“ and don’t even get me started on the state of the highway restrooms… I happily pay to pee if it means I can do it in a clean restroom over a sh!thole with a big gap on the side of the door!

[campagnollo]

In Germany on the autobahn, the rear mirror isn't your friend. You are married to the rear mirror.

[wandilismus]

German Autobahn: Controlled Chaos
American Highway: Chaos

[MaximilianSittich]

German guy here, who drove trough the entire US as well.
Driving on US highways (I did Interstate 40 most of the time) and at some points, I was scared to hell. Random items lying on the street, from oil cans to blown tires. Massive trucks and massive urban traffic, especially in the LA area. Some people really drove without caution. Even if driving here in Germany requires more skill and attention, I just felt safer in the end.

[ZebSound]

its true with the focus on the autobahn, but you can cruise at 120-130 kmh in the right lane without stressing out

[HoldMySoda]

Sorry Nalf I made totally different experiences. At the moment I am in Chicago and made a road trip from Savannah to Illinois. Pre Covid, back home In GermanyI used to drive almost 100k kilometers per year.
The traffic in and around bigger US cities can be hell. People drive so recklessly and it looks like they don’t even know what they are doing. I faced more high dangerous situations the last two weeks than in one year in Germany. In general Americans are so polite and kind. When they cross your way in a grocery store they say excuse me all the time and they really don’t want to bother you. Unfortunately some of these folks forget about their manners as soon as they sit behind a steering wheel.

[GrBuccaneer]

you think driving on the autobahn is stressfull? take a drive to the 8 lane roundabout in paris/france arround the "Arc de Triomphe". 😆

[Mr.Magnetix]

remember: we pay for the whole speedometer, were gonna use the whole speedometer

[easy_watching]

What a great video about driving on the Autobahn. In the last few weeks I drove more regularly on the Autobahn and it's exhausting, even only for a couple tens of kilometers.

You talked about the high requirements of getting a license to actually be prepared to drive. But you forgot that we also have strict regulations and require regular checks about the state of the cars to ensure the cars don't fall apart at those speeds. Which probably also helps to keep the deaths lower.

[svend.]

I'm German. We were recently on holiday in Denmark - that's around 600km from us with about half of it in Germany on the motorway. The outward journey was relaxed: I drove between 120 and 140km/h. No traffic jams. So you can drive relaxed in Germany. The return journey took almost 2 hours longer: lots of traffic jams and traffic. However, there were sections where I could drive at 240km/h. However, this really requires a lot of concentration. And if you're not used to that (or have never done it before), then it's total stress because you can neither correctly assess the speeds of others nor constantly pay attention to the traffic situation around you. Because at 240km/h you are driving in at least 3 cars: the car in front of you, your own car, and the vehicle behind you. In reality, there are at least 5-6 cars: those in the next lane, the cars that are approaching and also the ones at large far ahead (i.e. in the distance) are just as important. You have to learn this and approach it carefully over time. Otherwise the accident is only a matter of time. So yes: it's not always nice on the German motorway, but being able to drive well over 200km/h is still just incredibly fun. And I love it (like most Germans)...😊🤙

[hannesfrischat]

German driver here who has moved to Sweden. Sweden is quite similar to the US concerning highway driving. I got accustomed to the Swedish relaxed driving style very fast, enjoying the slow, steady pace. Compared to that driving in Germany is stressful and hectic, to say the least. On the other hand one can not ignore that in Germany there exists a high collective ability to steer very precisely and disciplined, almost like in a swarm of birds or in a pack of jet planes. The overall driving ability in Sweden is considerably lower which can sometimes lead to unnecessarily risky situations.

[raven]

What's most stressful on the highway are the people who drive slowly in the wrong lane, changing lanes without signaling or looking in the mirror.

Above all, many people should practice the zipper process again. It's stuck there. If the zipper on her pants worked like this, the pants would be open all the time.

[stilldointime]

Population density of Germany? To put it more in perspective, The country Germany is slightly smaller than the state of Montana. Montana has about 1M people and Germany has a population of about 84M. Think about cramming 84M people into Montana!!

[BlueFlash]

Been living in NC. The Interstate was horrible. Where I was briefed on how to act when I get stopped by police (keep hands on wheel, don't open the door, don't talk back).
The roads were littered with blown tires. I've once seen a blown tire on a German Autobahn right when the accident happened.

Crusing speed in Germany with a family wagon was 200-220. Almost everyone can estimate you speed. Even if I have to drive behind someone for a minute, it's OK.

The "Rettungsgasse" enforced by law as well as better driver education was the biggest factor.

We drove to Tennessee, got in a traffic jam and ALL Lanes were blocked. Nobody moved for the ambulance. They tried to move for police.

I immediately drove to the ledtmost space since I was in the left lane. Instantly several drivers used the new gap to drive forward like 10-20 yards. Then they were stuck and caused another lane to form.

I was so flabbergasted. Somebody was probably dying or seriously hurt and nobody gave a sh*t.

I don't see the Autobahn as stressful, even construction portions just flow (except Hamburg). You can pick the right lane and you'll have tons of space. Even on the left lane you have enough space to overtake trucks.
You can go to safety driving instructors if you feel stressed. That shouldn't be the case. Normally new drivers will stick to the right or middle lane until with months of driving they get more comfortable. You can watch how traffic flows, how fast cars approach.

I'm living in an area in Germany with a lot of US Americans. The accidents they cause are hilarious. There are statistics for every police station that show who was involved. US American drivers do seem to have huge problems adapting. It got that bad that the city installed street lights at every intersection, Yields were replaced with Stops, US American police will now always work with German police if an accident happens.

Even our American neighbos (whom I love dearly and enjoy living next to!) came to ask me if I have construction foam since they need to fix their car. I went to check what they wanted to fix. It was a broken suspension and their exhaust pipe was ripped open.

I told them to go to a car mechanic but they denied it. They were sure it wasn't too bad. How can you fix a broken suspension with construction foam?

Now that I'm a dad myself, I don't go over 180 if he's in the back. He also loves curvey rides from town to town.

I guess the myth about the Autobahn impacts new drivers negatively. They expect to get sucked into a wormhole. Just drive behind a truck if you feel unsafe and don't be angry if you hug the left lane and people get mad.

[kosiara]

Germany: follow strict rules and drive as fast as you can -> SAFETY
USA: drive slow but watch Netflix at the same time and play on you phone

[McGuiver]

The main difference is: Germans are driving - Americans are passengers in their own car. I am always shocked to hear things like: you have to be focused all the time while driving. It's like saying you have to breathe while running. Of course, you have to. You are moving a 2t +x piece of metal and plastic at a high speed. Pay attention, for god’s sake!

[jamesfischer]

American who loves driving on the Autobahn :) I feel safer as other drivers tend to be more predictable. You didn't mention, but good to note variable speed limit signs that can apply to specific lanes. Recently caught in morning Frankfurt traffic with posted speed limit of 60kph (37mph) in all three lanes.

[Skektik]

Let me tell you, those drivers license prices are way outdated. It's very common to pay around 3k and minimum 2k for a drivers licence in germany

[SH-mzie]

Remembering the days when driving in an empty German car park would stress out NALF.

[Desperoro]

I have it exactly opposite. Driving in US is stressful nonsense and driving in Germany just makes sense. Your highway limit is limit for rural roads in Germany. Common 😂 I drive very comfortably in Germany and don't need to break any law. Everything makes sense. In US? 6 lanes and limit 30mph and you absolutely don't understand why and most people drive 40-45mph. Interstate? Limit 70mph, people drive between 50 and 85 mph. You drive 75, in front of you is someone chilling 50mph and on the right side is huge semi truck overtaking you. And drivers in US so much don't focus. They eat, drink, play with cell phone, almost sleep whatever... And cars are also in quite bad shape...