A recommended speed applies on motorways. What does that actually mean - and do you have to stick to it or is it just an approximate guideline?
Question: What is the recommended speed? And where does it apply?
Answer from Thomas Schuster, motor vehicle expert from the KÜS expert organization (vehicle monitoring organization for freelance motor vehicle experts): In Germany, the recommended speed for motor vehicles up to 3.5 tons on motorways and roads similar to motorways is 130 km/h, as long as no other limit is specified. This is regulated in the so-called "Autobahn Recommended Speed Ordinance", which came into force in 1978 and was last updated in 2009.
"Guide Speed" means the speed recommended on roads without a speed limit. The recommendation applies to ideal conditions, i.e. favorable road, weather and visibility conditions. In rain, heavy traffic and darkness, the speed has to be adjusted accordingly anyway.
By the end of October 2022, the Highway Code had provided for a special speed limit sign, a blue square with a white number. Strictly speaking, the signs have been invalid since the deadline. Most are probably gone now. The recommended speed is only noted on a board next to the symbol for motorways at border crossings. But even without the road network being signposted, the general recommended speed in Germany is 130 km/h.
There are no fines or points for disregarding the recommended speed. However, if an accident occurs due to a speed of significantly more than 130 km/h, this can lead to joint liability of at least 20 percent.
Several courts argued: even if exceeding the recommended speed does not in principle justify an accusation of fault, the accidents in question were less avoidable because the recommended speed was clearly exceeded, so that a corresponding joint liability is justified. Insurance companies are also happy to reduce their payments if the recommended speed is exceeded.
