Merkel resists speed limit push
October 29, 2007
Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel has rejected a call from her Social Democrat (SPD) coalition partners for a speed limit on the country's motorways.
At its party congress on Saturday the SPD voted in favour of a 130km/h (80 mph) speed limit to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
But Mrs Merkel told German ZDF television that "this is not going to happen with me".
"Traffic jams are at least as harmful to the climate as speeding," she said.
In March, the German government rejected a call by EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas for Germany to impose a speed limit on its motorways, or Autobahnen.
Unlike its EU neighbours, Germany applies motorway speed restrictions only in traffic bottlenecks, near road works or in particular circumstances.
German car firms such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen take pride in their high-performance models, seen as symbols of the German export boom.
The manufacturers have defended the traditional policy on motorway driving.
Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel of the SPD said a speed limit would only cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2.5 million tonnes annually, whereas a cut of 270 million tonnes was needed.
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