Speed limits in Germany
In 1973, in the wake of the 1973 oil crisis, a federal speed limit of 100 km/h (62 mph) on Autobahns was imposed to help conserve fuel for fear of impending future shortages (not for environmental or safety reasons). The measure only lasted from December 1973 to March 1974; while the administration and the Bundestag were in favor of keeping the speed limit, the Bundesrat pushed to repeal the law. As a compromise, a "recommended speed" was introduced on Autobahns and "highways outside of built-up areas with a center divide or without a center divide and a continuous lane for overtaking in both directions". This law is basically still in effect today. Unrestricted non-Autobahn highways, however, have since become virtually non-existent or replaced by "Schnellstraßen", Autobahn-like expressways typically limited to 120 or 130 km/h and normally only covering a few kilometers.
Autobahn
Driving in Germany is regulated by the Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung ("road traffic regulations", abbreviated StVO). Enforcement on the federal Autobahnen is handled by each state's Highway Patrol ("Autobahnpolizei"), often using unmarked police cars and motorcycles and usually equipped with video cameras, thus allowing easier enforcement of laws such as tailgating. Notable laws include the following.
"", "", and "Burnout Dominator" use autobahn as one of their tracks. "Euro Truck Simulator", "German Truck Simulator", and "Euro Truck Simulator 2" features the Autobahn in its open world map. "Burnout 3: Takedown" named them as Alpine while "Burnout Dominator" divided them into two (Autobahn and Autobahn Loop).
"" also had a track that had the player drive across different sections of the autobahn. The entire game world of "" is set on the autobahn.
On "Gran Turismo 5" and "Gran Turismo 6", a trophy is awarded to those who have driven the same distance as the autobahn total length. In December 2010 video game developer Synetic GmbH and Conspiracy Entertainment released the title "Alarm für Cobra 11 – Die Autobahnpolizei" featuring real world racing and mission-based gameplay. It is taken from the popular German television series about a two-man team of "Autobahnpolizei" first set in Berlin then later in North Rhine-Westphalia.