Back Roads Germany (Dk Eyewitness Travel Back Roads)

18

Road Conditions

Most roads in Germany are well

surfaced and usually well marked.

However, the Bundesstrassen, or

state roads, do vary in quality. In

the north and west, and the touring

areas of the Rhine Valley, the Black

Forest, and Bavaria, the roads are

well paved and in good condition.

The well-established network of

highways allows you to travel to

most regions within a few hours.

Regular maintenance work on the

roads can generate problems,

especially during the

busy summer from July

to mid-September.

German-speaking

drivers can listen to the

radio for regular

updates on the traffic

situation or obtain

information on traffic

conditions by visiting the

website http://www.verkehrsinfo.de

Above Colorful Alpine walking map

of Garmisch-Partenkirschen

Taking a Break

If you are feeling tired, or lost, it is

a good idea to pull over and take

a break. There are numerous marked

rest areas along highways and major

roads where you can park the car,

stretch your legs, and consult a

map. Such places also often have

clean public facilities. Highways

also have service stations at regular

intervals, where you can stop for

fuel and simple German food such

as Wiener Schnitzel and Currywurst.

On minor roads, and in remote

areas, gas stations may be few and

far between.

The scenic landscape can

sometimes be a distraction for

drivers, so it is best to stop and

Breakdown and Accident

Procedures

If you have a problem on the

Autobahn, you can use one of the

yellow pillars with emergency

buttons located along the road to

call for help. In case of a breakdown

or accident, move the car safely off

the road, turn on hazard lights and

put out a warning triangle; it is

compulsory to carry

one and use it. Car

hire companies will

normally supply a

number to call in case

of an emergency or

problems with the

vehicle. Usually they

use the assistance of

the ADAC (see p17); the motoring

club will send a breakdown service.

In case of an accident that involves

another vehicle, you will need to

exchange the insurance details,

name, address, and car registration

details with the other parties

involved, and if possible, jointly

determine the cause of the accident.

In the case of a serious accident,

the police are quick to arrive at the

scene and provide support. For

minor accidents, the police do not

always appear, but you can call the

emergency number 112 to ask for

assistance if you have problems

with the other party involved in the

accident. Circumstances can be

confusing at the time of an accident,

so do not admit fault, accept liability,

or give money to any party, which

is illegal in Germany. If possible,

Parking

Lack of parking space can be a

problem in cities. Using one of the

multi-story parking lots (Parkhaus)

is a convenient option, although

they are expensive. A green or

red sign in front of the parking lot will

indicate whether there is an empty

parking space. You pay for the

number of hours that you park the

car. Parking in city centers is often

limited to 2 to 3 hours. Payment can

be made with coins or (rarely) credit

card to an automatic parking-ticket

machine, which will issue receipts

that are placed on the inside of the

windscreen. There are also parking

meters with a timer that allow

parking for up to 2 hours. In many

large cities, there are “Park and Ride”

areas outside the center. It is possible

to park your car here to take

advantage of the well-developed

public transport system.

It is never worth leaving your

car in a prohibited area – a traffic

warden will impose a fine and

BACK ROADS GERMANY

take down details from any

independent witnesses. It is also wise

to take photographs of any damage

to the vehicle, as well as the scene

of the accident.

Parking and access

road signs

admire the views. Parks and areas

with nature trails also make good

picnic stops.