The autobahn has a. no speed restrictions at all b. no speed restrictions on a short stretch of road c. no speed restrictions of 60 percent of the road
Most of the construction of the autobahn took place a. under the Weimar Republic b. under the Nazi regime c. after World War II
Compared to the US interstates, the autobahn is a. safer b. less safe c. about the same
Discussion/essay questions
Do you think speed limits make drivers safer? Why or why not? Do people drive below the speed limit where you live? How safe do you feel on the road?
Transcript
The autobahn system is Germany’s network of highways. It is the fourth longest highway system in the world, at over 13,000 kilometres. The autobahn is popular with drivers of sports cars. This is because roughly 60 percent of the network has no speed restrictions. The autobahn began construction under the Weimar Republic. When the Nazi Party came into power, they used forced labour to extend the highways. However, most of the construction took place after World War II. Despite the autobahn’s reputation, it is safer than many major highway systems, including the US interstates. Most drivers travel close to the recommended speed of 130 km/h, and the autobahn’s special police force is strict about traffic violations.
Electric cars a. are a recent invention b. predate gas cars c. were designed by Leonardo da Vinci
Ransom Olds and Henry Ford a. invented the first gas car b. designed an early personal vehicle in 1478 c. developed ways to mass-produce cars
Originally, car users were often a. people from rural areas b. people from city centres c. professional race car drivers
Discussion/essay questions
Some places, especially in North America, are now designed for cars. Getting to work or school can be difficult without travelling a long distance, and other types of transportation are less common. Do you own a car? Is it necessary to own a car where you live?
Cars are changing now that people are more aware of the environment. Electric cars are becoming popular again. What do you think transportation will look like in the future?
Transcript
Early ideas for an automatic personal vehicle can be found in sketches by artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci from 1478. In the late 1800s, many European inventors worked to build and test personal vehicles. Electric cars actually predate gas cars, which weren’t invented until 1886. However, electric cars were expensive to build and maintain. When American business owners Ransom Olds and Henry Ford developed ways to mass-produce gas cars, they became the more popular choice. Originally, car users were most often people from rural areas who had long distances to travel. However, over the past century, cars have also changed the way that cities are planned and built.
