Rauchverbot auf dem Oktoberfest: Kein Qualm auf der Wiesn - Starting January 1, smoking will be banned in all public places in Bayern, including pubs and tents, which means that Oktoberfest 2008 will be smoke-free (in the tents anyway). Yippee for non-smokers! Only two more months and we can go out to restaurants again without exposing Oliver to smoke or coming home smelling like an ashtray!
SPD fordert Tempolimit von 130 km/h -The Social Democrat Party (SPD) is supporting a move to have a nationwide speed limit of 130 km/h (or 80 mph) for environmental reasons. The limit should reduce gasoline consumption and CO2 emissions. The Green party have joined this initiative, but it will not pass without the Christian Democrats (CDU). Perhaps this is just a way to accuse the CDU of not doing anything for the environment.
I support imposing speed limits for environmental reasons. I also up until recently thought it would make the Autobahn safer, but I’ve heard that the Autobahn is safer than the US Highways. This seems difficult to believe, because it feels so dangerous to have tractor trailers in the right lane going 80 km/h (50 mph), while most of the traffic is moving at around 130 km/h, and then there are the Autobahn racers who fly past at 200 km/h (125 mph). I can’t remember who, but someone told me that they think that because the Autobahn feels dangerous, the drivers are more careful and aware of what’s going on around them, while in America, people feel the highways are relatively safe, so they eat, telephone, or otherwise divide their attention from focusing on driving. In the end, much of the Autobahn is already covered by speed limits anyway, so it won’t be that huge a change.
And one final odd piece -
FLIRTY OLD MAN: German Playboy, 77, Sues for Sex
Aging German playboy Rolf Eden has rarely taken no for an answer. And he’s not about to start. He has filed charges against a 19-year-old for refusing to sleep with him. The complaint? Ageism.
I’m not even going to comment on that one.
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I was with you until the ageism claim. That’s just weird to me. Of course, with the pills and other medical advances or if he can get it up naturally at 77, all the more power to him.
I can’t tell you how thrilled I am about the smoking ban. We used to avoid going out for dinner during the winter, because once outside seating was no longer an option, we hated sitting in a cloud of cigarette smoke. Hooray!
Yay smoking ban! What good news (especially for those of us about to move to Bavaria).
Wonderful with smoke-free restaurants, it’s getting more and more common. I go out to eat, not to turn into a kipper! Awful habit. The speed limit, well, it works quite well as it is now I think, everybody is observant and focussed, and not too complacent/relaxed. From an environmental point of view there is no doubt, is there? As for the ageist issue, I couldn’t possibly comment!
He he he, sueing for sex, sure beats the walkabout lobsters story in Spiegel, do you think he really has a chance??…ciao
@maria: He’s gotta be using Viagra!
@blythe & jul: I’m excited too. I was all grumpy before that we were going to be stuck at home all winter. This is great!
@swenglishexpat: LOL!
@rositta: I sure hope not. I will lose a lot of faith in the German judicial system if he does!
Autobahns Vs US highways
the bottom line is the majority of Germans follow the rules of the road, hence driver actions are predictable and the roads are safer.
On the other hand, the majority of US drivers do not follow the rules and combined with being distracted (make-up, eating, smoking, cell phones, children, etc) their actions are NEVER predictable, and then the false belief of other drivers that US drivers are safe makes for VERY unsafe US highways.
Can’t wait to visit Germany now that they are getting a handle on the smoking… it just made me ill last time I was there having dinner in a lovely restaurant in Bonn .. just a we had our mains, the 3 tables around us lit up… yuk! Australia has had no smoking for years. We will be visiting for Xmas this year – wish they were starting earlier.
As for the AutoBahn… I have always maintained that the reason that the roads felt safer was a) because people actually slow down when the speed limit changes and b) I think Germany has a really effective learn to drive program – better than most countries anyway.
Thanks for the update, Christine – better than ARD.
I think it was Matthias who gave you the stats on the Autobahn. Ever since he started working in automotive safety, he reads a lot of safety articles. Apparently, a lot of accidents in German happen on the smaller roads that are lined with trees. People either collide on the narrow roads or they veer off and hit a tree. Those are the most deadly. The autobahn is not so bad comparatively.
Another stat – the US has approximately twice as many auto accidents, per capita, as in Germany. Now he gets nervous when I drive over there.
@anon: I’m not sure that the majority of German drivers follow the rules. Or maybe it’s just Bavarian drivers. I’ve seen quite a bit of tailgating and passing on the right down here. Driving felt much safer up north!
@Lynda: Too bad the smoking ban won’t be starting before X-mas. But I’m actually not sure what the law is in the Bonn area.
@Tammy: Yeah, you’re right, it was Matthias when you guys came over for coffee and cake.