The only country in the European Union without a general speed limit on many parts of its highways, Germany has an excellent network of motorways. They are generally well-maintained, inviting you to explore them. The minimum age for obtaining a learner's license with a legal guardian present in the car in Germany is 17. An unrestricted car driver's license can be obtained at age 18.

The A555 between Cologne and Bonn was Germany's first "intersection-free motor road." Konrad Adenauer, mayor of Cologne and subsequent West German chancellor, officially opened the first section in August 1932 — clearly negating the frequent assumption that the Autobahn was a Nazi invention, as the Nazis didn't come to power until the following year.

According to statistics by ADAC, Germany's national automobile association, German roads experienced a record 745,000 traffic jams in 2018, due to more cars on the highway and increased construction sites. The number of traffic jams haven't been quite as high since the COVID pandemic started, as many people continued to work from home.

Even when you think you're soaring down the Autobahn, you may get the distinct impression it's still not fast enough. Some German drivers may drive right up behind you and try to "push" you over. They may even flash their headlights to rattle your nerves. You aren't supposed to block the "fast" lane — the aim being to only use it for passing. But pushy drivers may still try to bully you!

Watch out for speed cameras! They are used widely in Germany, from the Autobahn to inner-city areas. The box-shaped devices are installed next to the road, and could catch you unawares. Should you be speeding, a ticket will be sent to your home, complete with a picture of you at the wheel and your license plate number. Sometimes, cars on the side of the road will record your speeding offense.

Holding a cell phone in your hand while driving is an absolute no-no. If caught, you could be fined and get penalty points against your driver's license. Penalties spike up if you cause an accident, and you could have your license revoked. Investing in a hands-free car kit is smarter. Penalties also apply to cyclists using their cell phones.

The same thing goes for not making way for emergency vehicles. Once traffic jams up, you are required to create a lane for ambulances and police to get through. If not, you block the emergency space, and you could be fined and get points against your license. The emergency lane is always between the far left and the rest of the lanes.

You are also required to set up a warning signal should you break down or have an accident. This means placing an orange metal triangle on the road, donning a fluorescent jacket, both of which you must have in your car. You must also have a first-aid kit stored in your vehicle, and since February 2023, the kits must contain two surgical masks.

In Germany, there's zero alcohol tolerance for beginners, those under 21, as well as for professional drivers. There's a 0.05% blood alcohol content (BAC) limit to driving under the influence. Penalties start at a €500 ($623) fine, points against your license, license suspension, or worse depending on the alcohol level in your blood. Limits also apply to cyclists. Best bet: Don't drink and drive!

Snow tires are required once streets become slick with slush, ice or snow. In Germany, the rule of thumb is that this can occur anytime between October and Easter. Should you not have snow tires installed on your car and still drive on slippery streets, you could be fined and have points taken off your license. Without proper snow tires, your insurance may also not cover an accident.

To navigate both the German Autobahn and city streets, the best approach is a zen one: take your time and don't let yourself get frazzled. Besides, with an expansive train and public transportation system in the country, you might not even want to hop into your car, but board a train and put up your feet!

It started in 2015 when French officials chose three stretches of the Nationale 7 highway, the French vacation highway that leads to the Riviera, to test the new 80 kilometers per hour (50 mph) speed limit. On Sunday, all two-lane roads in France will now have lowered speeds from 90 kph (55 mph) to 80 kph.

"The goal is not to piss people off," said French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe. But he reiterated that he was ready "to live with being unpopular." He noted that a similar reduction on the Paris ring road led to an 18 percent drop in accidents. Some local officials have vowed they won't put up the new speed limit signs even though the government has promised to reimburse them.

In Germany, the speed limit on two-lane highways is 100 kph (60 mph) and on many stretches of highway there is no speed limit at all. But with crowded freeways, having no speed limit doesn't matter if you can't get enough room to cruise.

The French government has been running radio and TV ads to quell drivers' anger by saying the new speed limits will only add a few minutes to most trips. The upside is that motorists' fuel costs will go down by €120 ($140) year. The new speed limit in France matches those in Bosnia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland.

Sweden has the lowest number of road deaths at 2.6 per 100,000 and some of the toughest speed limits in Europe. Germany at 4.2, Great Britain at 2.8 and Ireland at 3.5 are some of the safest countries. The highest number of road deaths per 100,000 are in Romania (9.6) and Bulgaria (9.9). The high accident rates are attributed to poor roads and older, rundown cars.