Germany Imposes Speed Limit on Autobahn Due to Oil Crisis (1973)
On November 24, 1973, Germany imposed a national speed limit of 100 kilometers per hour (about 63 miles per hour) on its Autobahn in response to the 1973 oil crisis. However, the speed limit lasted only less than four months.
The Autobahn, Germany’s main highway throughout the country, was one of Germany’s main public works projects under Hitler. Hitler saw the Autobahn as a military advantage for his forces in WWII so they could more easily transport troops, supplies, and other items.
After WWII, Germany continued to build and extend the Autobahn which was internationally known for having no speed limit. Motorists could drive as fast as they pleased on the highway. However, on this day, November 24, 1973, Germany imposed its first national speed limit on the Autobahn in response to the major oil crisis of 1973. Germany created the speed limit in order to conserve fuel during the oil crisis. But the law only remained in place for less than four months.
Today, German’s 11,000 km (around 6,800 mile) Autobahn continues to remain famous for having no speed limit. Motorists on the Autobahn may see signs that “recommend” a speed limit of 130 km/h (around 80 mph). And Germany does impose speed limits within its towns and villages off of the Autobahn. However, no speed limit is imposed on the Autobahn and motorists can travel as fast as they wish.