European Speed Limits
Just had a look at European Speed Limits and was surprised by the published speeds. Car and caravan under 3.5 tonne: Austria no surprises, motorway 62 MPH, other roads 50 MPH, roughly the same as UK. Belgium, a bit faster than I though but no big deal. The surprise came when I looked at Germany and Italy. Germany, motorway 50, other roads 50, This surprised me as there's no speed limit for cars on an autobahn as far as I remember. I was even more surprised to see Germany allegedly allows car and caravan over 3.5 tonnes to travel at 62 MPH on a motorway. Italy is similar. 50 and 44 MPH for car and caravan under 3.5 tonnes but 62 and 50 for over 3.5 tonnes. Are these correct?
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Without minutely checking, I do think they are accurate. However rules and practicality are 2 different things. For example, you wouldn't make many friends sticking to 80kph on German autobahns. The lorries can travel at a faster speed and there are swathes of the network where NO overtaking for certain classes of vehicle ard allowed, usually lorries, trailers, sometimes coaches, so we tend to try to stay to a midway 90kph. We have been known to travel a bit faster sometimes, mainly when overtaking slower lorries but generally as long as you are not doing 120 kph you'll find no problems. These no overtaking restrictions can, sometimes, go on for quite long periods, mostly on 2 lane sections but also where roadworks ard taking place and in rush hours. Take care of this restriction more so than speed as I've seen lorries and caravans pulled in for infringing it.
This is just one example of a country's road laws and apllications. Others will be along with more advice.
Happy European motoring.
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The information that you have for caravan outfits in Italy is wrong. They are all limited to 80km/h on motorways regardless of weight.
Speed limits for caravans in Germany are not dependent on a 3.5 tonne breakpoint, either. The speed limit is normally 80km/h, but one can apply for a 100km/h concession subject to certain technical conditions being fulfilled and approval granted.
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Actually, a lot of the details referring to car and caravan outfits over 3.5 tonnes in that link are incorrect. Only a handful of countries differentiate between outfits under and over 3.5 tonnes and certainly none allow a higher speed limit for those over 3.5 tonnes. Someone really got something screwed up there.
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When I saw this thread is was late, so did not comment, but I thought it seemed to be wrong info and also thought that Lutz would be along to give a more detailed comment!
So far as I was aware, and go on, from travel in Europe it’s 80 kph max except France here I can travel at 90kph being a plus 3.5 tonne outfit.
Not sure of best way to bring this apparent misinformation to the clubs attention, on. BH Sunday,but sure someone will.
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I have emailed the club asking them to check if the information is accurate. To me it seems like the speeds for the over and under 3.5 tonnes limit has been transposed. I wait to see what they say when they reply some time after the Bank Holiday.
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Hopefully as this is more serious they will move a bit quicker than they have with the pitch type inaccuracies I emailed them about in January. I recieved a thank you, we will pass this on to the appropriate team for update. However, nothing has changed.👎☹️
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80 kph is ridiculous. Enough to send you to sleep!
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Now why is that not a surprise, Steve.
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Driving on almost all UK motorways is not usually a pleasant experience and whilst 80 kph may seem slow, when comparing it to our 60 mph, in reality it provides a far more relaxing experience.
So far as annoying others that is often the result of drivers travelling at far below the limit-not at the limit.
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I've had a response to my email to the club. It's about as much use as a chocolate fire guard! I'll paste it below.
"The information that we have on our website in regards to speed limits should only be used as a guide, however we do try and keep it as upto date as possible with the correct information.
If in any doubt please contact the Tourist Board for the countries that you're visiting as they should be able to confirm the speed limits for you."
I'm disappointed as the information would need to accurate to be any use at all. Why bother publishing it at all if it's "only a guide?"
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