American Reacts to "Driving: Germany vs. USA"

[@asmodon]

The turning right on red was contemplated in Germany but was rejected because it endangers pedestrians and cyclists. At some intersections without sidewalks there are fixed green arrows that indicate that you can turn on red. But even those have disappeared over time. As you can see, the American streets in this video mostly have no sidewalks and there are no pedestrians or cyclists in sight. So turning on red isn’t a problem.

[@t.a.k.palfrey3882]

Yes, the focus in the US is always the convenience of vehicles. Throughout northern Europe, incl UK, pedestrians and cyclists have priority, except on highways. Hence, being safer to do so, far, far more people walk or cycle in Europe. If a driver turning right has to watch for cars coming from left, and cyclists and walkers coming from behind on the right, the danger of an accident is greatly increased.

[@geekexmachina]

Same with the UK additionally when there is a cyclist only lane it means the car has to cross that lane to turn, and also i the UK were not always crossing with lights as its legal to do so

[@DontPanick]

The fixed green arrows didn't really disappear. They were introduced in East Germany in the late 70s. Actually the plan was to remove them after the reunification. But there was a lot of resistance so they were kept and some cities in the west started to use them as well. But in the west the usage went down a lot, while there are still widely used in the east. Although the removed quite a lot in my city as well.

[@eulekeule]

We still have the green arrow in Flensburg ;)

[@arthur_p_dent]

Whether these "green arrows" have disappeared depends a lot of the region of Germany you're in. They are still very popular in East Germany, much less so in the west. (they were originally from the East German StVO (highway code) and were meant to be abolished after reunification, but after protests were added to the highway code of the now unified Germany - with the added provision that you need to come to a full stop before turning right on red, like on a stop sign (that wasn't mandated in East Germany prior to reunification) Generally speaking, where the were introduced in the west, they would be removed after a couple of years if it turned out that accidents became more frequent at the intersection. Apparently this was the case quite often.

[@GreenFart174]

I don't know how it is in other EU countries. In Germany I was taught in driving school that if you have to twist yourself to see the traffic light, you stopped too late.

[@Faraonqa]

can confirm it's exactly the same in bulgaria, in fact its a point on your driving exam if you do that 😂

[@slay3rCZ]

Same in Czech republic.

[@PeterLan1]

same in Sweden. It is not a problem if you stop in time... I have had a driver's license since the early 70's and never even thought that seeing the traffic lights would be a problem.

[@limecupcakes]

Same in Portugal, you will fail your driving test (or get a fine in real driving) if you stop too far into a red light. There's a line on the road showing the limit.

[@8020monster]

13:30 in Germany there is the rule "right bevore left" meaning you have to lock wether someone is coming from right and give him the priority. This applys to any crossing without signs!

[@AndreGerritzen]

In the US the street network is always a grid and the most intersections are at right angles, so the light is on the otherside. In europe the street network is much older an grown a little bit chaotic, so intersections often are crossing of more than 2 roads or the angles are different so you don´t know where on the otherside is your traffic light. This is the reason why your traffic light is direct in front of you.

[@aphextwin5712]

In addition to intersections where the streets are not at right angles, you frequently have different red/green cycles for different lanes (left turning, right turning, straight). For example, the turning right lane might be red longer (than for going straight) such that pedestrians crossing the street that the right-turning traffic would enter have a window to do so. In a sense traffic lights work like barriers (or lights) on railroad crossing. A red light means don’t advance beyond the light. And as much as I know, this the same all over Europe. Some countries (like France) make things easier by placing an additional smaller sets of light add eye height.

[@yannickurbach5654]

@@aphextwin5712 There's also separate turning traffic lights in the US. They're still on the opposite side. See 47°34'28"N 122°13'37"W for an example. The non-right-angled intersections are a better argument, though those exist in the US as well, albeit not as frequently. Generally it's clear from the orientation of the light what street it is for. Obviously, the European way is more fool-proof, but it's also much less convenient. You get used to lights on the opposite side eventually, but having to stretch your neck to be able to see a light directly above you always remains annoying. I appreciated the American way a lot when driving there, after getting over the initial confusion.

[@aphextwin5712]

@@yannickurbach5654 Looking at some examples from Zurich (eg, Bürkliplatz), I noticed that one difference can be more pedestrian infrastructure (plus public transport) including many traffic islands and what I would call ‘lane forming’. Even with fairly right-angle T-junctions, the lanes leading towards different directions already curve and branch off somewhat before the stopping line. And the location of all the pedestrian crossings is marked by the traffic lights, ensuring that cars know the location of the pedestrian crossing. There are actually traffic lights at the opposite side of intersection (going east) but they are actually a purely pedestrian crossing.

[@aphextwin5712]

@@yannickurbach5654 Just having watched a video of American intersections for unrelated reasons, I thought of another small difference. It is my impression that multi lane streets are more common in the U.S., a consequence of which is that there are more middle lanes that couldn’t have a traffic light on their side and just one above them if the lights were placed on the near side. One more downside of the far side lights is that during the approach, the lights are further away and thus look smaller, which might a factor contributing to the number of cars that race through red lights (which from anecdotal KZbin use, appears to happen more frequently in the U.S..

[@reinhard8053]

@@aphextwin5712 Denmark mostly has the lights on both spots. Near the car and on the other side of the crossing. Very convenient. But that gets a bit confusing if you have more complicated crossings with several lanes with different lights and several left turns directly following each with their own traffic lights.

[@arnodobler1096]

The thing at the intersection, which they criticized, has reasons: The mass of pedestrians and cyclists, including small children, in Germany. Applies to all of Europe, by the way, I think.

[@samuelsamenstrang6069]

You are everywhere. Everywhere!

[@arnodobler1096]

@@samuelsamenstrang6069 I guess you do too then, don't you? 🤣🙋

[@samuelsamenstrang6069]

@@arnodobler1096 I´m am where you are. Obviously. 😂

[@arnodobler1096]

@@samuelsamenstrang6069 🤣🙋‍♂

[@SiqueScarface]

3:25 The problem with putting the traffic lights on the opposite side of the crossing is that you actually need an opposite side. In the U.S., where most of the crossings are rectangular, this is not an issue. In Europe, it is. There are many crossings so irregularly shaped that it is impossible to tell which is the opposite side, and which traffic lights there are actually meant for your lane. (If you are interested what I am talking about, try Google Streetview on Schillerplatz, Dresden, Germany, and then tell me where to place the traffic lights at the opposite side). 4:30 Main reason for not turning right on red in Europe are pedestrians. If your lights are red, chances are high (much higher than in the U.S.) that there are pedestrians crossing right in front of you. If not, there is a green arrow indicating that on this crossing, you are actually allowed to turn right on red.

[@andrusch2]

3:25 I saw in the US also a problem anticipating where the crossroad starts, especially in the city. It is at least for me way more comfortable to approach the crossroad just by looking at the traffic lights. Another problem I found with the 4 way stop, if there are more than 4 cars arriving it was for me really difficult to start to count and to guess, at which position I am right now. Whereas in the rest of the world it is so easy: the one from the right wins. No counting, just one think to watch out for.

[@sangfroidian5451]

The UK driving test is almost as rigorous as the German with a theory test and a 45 minute driving test. Virtually no US drivers would be able to pass the British test even if they tried, without study, lessons and practice.

[@davenwin1973]

Another difference not pointed out in this video, that almost all cars in Europe are manual transmission, and in Europe, you must know how to drive a manual transmission car to get a driver's license to drive any civilian car. Either choosing to driving automatic transmission cars, or unable to master driving a manual transmission car, and pass your driving test in an automatic, puts a restriction on your license, only allowing you to legally drive cars with an automatic transmission. That was never taught at any driving school local to me around Gary Indiana, when I learned to drive in 1998. My driving lessons were done in an automatic transmission car, and the test was done in an automatic. Driving a manual is not required in Indiana for civilian driving (my brother did say it is required for a commercial driver's license, or CDL for short). My brother got his license in 1982 and took driver's Ed in high school, and he told me that he was taught in an automatic. He learned manual through 2 guys he worked with on his first job. My was alive at the time, and my dad refused to take my brother out to even drive, but expected him to know how to drive manual. He got his license at 16, while I didn't get mine until I was 25. My brother is the only living family member that can drive a manual transmission car, but refuses to teach me, because he didn't have faith that I could even drive at all. He told me to stick with automatics. My mom hated manuals, along with my entire mom's side of the family.

[@fgregerfeaxcwfeffece]

​@@davenwin1973 Outdated, in Germany you can do a slightly limited license for automatic only. But that will only allow you to drive automatic. I don't know in which year that was changed, I think that was quite "recently"(last 15 years or so). So While you might not have had that choice its now on the table. But most people consider that not viable in cost benefit terms. Because you only save a tiny amount of time and money in exchange to be locked out of driving most cars.

[@solaccursio]

same here in Italy, a quite difficult theory test, and a at-least-25' minutes driving test, on a manual transmission car.

[@wolf310ii]

@@fgregerfeaxcwfeffece Did you wake up froma koma recently? We dont have 2000 anymore, its 2023. It was 1986 when driving an automatic in the driving test, your driving license was limited to automatic. It was recently changed, so that you have to drive a few hours and a short test in the driving school, then you dont have a restriction in the driving license, even when the final driving test was made in a automatic.

[@Martyyka]

Same in Slovenia. First you have to go to theory class at your driving school, pass the health check at the doctor and take the first aid class/test. Than you take your theory test and if you pass this you can start driving with the instructor in a car that is provided by the school and is specially modified with extra pedals for the instructor. I think nowadays 20 hours is mandatory. After that, if you're ready, you take your practical test on the road, which lasts 45 minutes and is supervised by a member of committee. When you first pass your practical test, you get a licence that is only valid until you turn 21 (but not less than 2 years) and you're considered a young driver - there is a lower tolerance for allowed alcohol levels in young drivers (0.0), lower points tolerance (9 instead of 18) and some driving jobs won't take young drivers. Only after that period you'll get your full licence. About 10 years ago they also added another requirement and that is that you have to take a safty driving course anytime in these 2 years. If you don't, your licence won't get renewed. If your vision is bad and you need to wear glasses (or have any other health related restrictions), you'll also need to take regular health checks to renew your licence. Mine was only extended for 2 years after the initial 2 years young driver period and for 10 years after that. I had to see a doctor who approved the renewal each time and I have to go again next year.

[@drsnova7313]

While it's true that in some cases (not very often) it can be a bit uncomfortable to look up to a traffic light above you, I feel it's soooo much more logical and intuitive to have the red light in exactly the place where you're not supposed to drive through - as opposed to beyond some crossing roads. Being uncomfortable for a few seconds beats being T-boned any day for me. Adding to that, streets and roads here in Europe are rarely so neatly aligned on some grid as they are in the US. With some crossings at any imaginable angles it would be highly confusing where in the distance you have to look for "your" traffic light.

[@haggihug3162]

Totally agree. AND if you are forced to pass a red light if you are turning right (for example), you get used to override a red light. Even if this red light is not counting for you, your subconscious will geht used to do so. In Europe its a strikt NO!!! to go over a red light. And yes, there are a lot of streets where I really would not know how they will put it somwhere else then directly at your place to stop to make clear, to whom this traffic light belongs. I thought about it after I have seen a few videos on this topic and I realised, that the european solution is the ionly one that makes sense to our streets.

[@sedmidivka]

I agree. although it's annoying that I can't see the lights properly. but it's so much less confusing, they have the lights like US somewhere here, not sure if it was France or Austria but I was so confused which light is mine there are so many confusing strange crossroads that I sometimes struggle even which lane is mine. maybe the problem is between the seat and the windshield 😂😂 MAYBE

[@joergjamnig53]

@@sedmidivka No.Our system works the same way as in Germany. I don't think that any country in the EU has the US-System 😂 Greetings from Austria

[@DrGreene81]

Spending my holidays in the US and Kanada, i also thought about the traffic lights. Another youtuber gave me an input, that lead me to change my opinion. I first thougt the US/CAN system is much better bc more comfortable. After watching the other youtubers video, i don't think so any more. Plain and simple reason: Safety. In case of a "oh, fu** it's red"-situation you will probably will be stopping close to the red light or even a little bit after. In GER: no problem, in the US/CAN: you will be standing in the middle of the intersection...... or the HGV will have cleared it's way.

[@michaelrogetzky9182]

And Nobody is forcing you to go to the stopline, you can stop 2meters befor and the problem is solved

[@JohnDoe-us5rq]

About the traffic lights. It's actually not really an issue. When you realize you're craning your neck, you stopped to close to the stopping line, as my driving instructor used to say 😃 I think the real reason for that is the layout of the streets. Crossroads are not always just two roads perpendicular to each other, the roads and streets wind and turn through the cities and sometimes its more than two roads crossing. The traffic light on your side is than an easy way to make sure which light is for what lane.

[@Wolf-ln1ml]

Yep, unless there is a sign that tells you to drive all the way up to the line (in order to trigger the sensor that notifies the lights to change), I always stop at a comfortable distance.

[@maireweber]

In Germany, we usually have "yield" signs on the smaller road of the intersection, so we can turn or cross when nobody is coming. A "stop" sign in Germany is rare and a clear indication that this intersection is a tricky one and that there have been many accidents before in spots like these.

[@andyt8216]

Same in UK. “Give Way” signs are everywhere and a “Stop” sign is as rare as in Germany.

[@pintiliecatalin]

I am not from Germany. Just want o ask something. In case that an intersection has no signs isn't there a rule that traffic coming from your right has the Right of way?

[@sweety1746]

@@pintiliecatalin Yes, that's true. You can find intersections with no signs mostly in designated low speed zones (Tempo-30-Zone).

[@maireweber]

@@pintiliecatalin Correct. No signs means "right before left". That's especially common in residential areas where in the US you'd have 4-way-stop signs.

[@pintiliecatalin]

@@maireweber Well in that case it means that the guys that made the video are actually the ones forcing their way into the intersection. I didn't hear them mentioning this rule.

[@dominikkaros8923]

13:17 - Just so you know. In that intersection its not, who is first gets to go first, or the one with the biggest car gets to go first. When there are no sings its: The car on your right is allowed to go first. BTW - its amazing that you are so interestet in our culture / history. Thumbs up 🙂

[@proislam-co6pg]

But this applies only to non Mercedes of course

[@dominikkaros8923]

@@proislam-co6pg of course!

[@ileana8360]

German here. Yes, it sucks to be the first car at the intersection and not being comfortable to see the traffic light. But why does nobody take into considaration the difference between USA and European infrastructure? It is impossible to put the lights on the other side of the intersaction as our cities our are not resulted from a drawing board but grown for centuries. And when there are "new" cities with a lot of space you have to stick to the same principle. However, remebering my driving lessons I am very happy about the German system and very grateful for my instructor. 1. I had to learn to drive with gear shift 2. driving in small cities with narrow roads where you really had to learn my footwork and how to take care of other cars, bicycles, pedestrians, motorcycles, busses, streetcars, playing children... 3. driving on the Autobahn including getting used to high speeds (up to 200km/h) and full brakes 4. how to park and start on a hill side 5. driving at night (my fist drive at night was Frankfurt am Main and it was scary) 6. driving overland All this made me realise that I not only had to be able to handle my car and know the rules and etiquette, but that I have to anticipate the traffic and the behaviour of everybody involved. No BS whilst driving. Especially as there are a lot of vulnerable participants in everyday traffic lile pedestrians, children, bicycles etc.

[@noopaa_j]

driving in frankfurt is scary in generall... 😅 especially when you come across one of those rare 5 or 6 street crossings

[@lea88pu]

I would add that this is the exact reason why a 14y.o is not mature enough to drive a car. It is a big responsibility to drive a machine that can kill you and people around you.

[@knightwish1623]

I agree with most of what you said except for the traffic lights. I came from England many years ago where the roads are more or less the same if not narrower they have the lights on the opposite side of the junction. Even after many years of living here es regt mich immer noch auf 😄😄

[@Wolf-ln1ml]

@@noopaa_j _"driving in frankfurt is scary in generall..."_ I get around the northern half/two thirds of Germany a lot (truck driver), and I haven't seen any city/area _worse_ than Frankfurt when it comes to the egoism of the average driver... Some parts of the Ruhrpott aren't far behind, but Frankfurt really takes the cake.

[@HappyBeezerStudios]

@@knightwish1623 So at some crossing they mount them on buildings?

[@noopaa_j]

Funfact about the jaywalking comment Germans DO jay walk, however from my experience of visiting various countries, not as much as other nations/nationalities. However it is very frowned upon to jaywalk in front of kids. So even if you know a german who is a frequent jaywalker, they may wait for the pedestrian light to turn green, when they see kids or schools/kindergartens nearby. Its to be a better role modell so kids don't imitate that behaviour.

[@CoL_Drake]

Remember jaywalking in Germany means go over red. We cross streets away from lights whenever we want

[@patrickstahle9632]

In Germany every traffic light is at a hight of around 6 feet, they are mostly on the right side, but on some more complex intersections and depending on your lane you probably need to look left. They are positioned there, that they are veary easy to see, regardless of daytime or in which angle the sun stands. You never need to look up. The traffic lights above the road are just duplicates for the people waiting in 3rd row or behind because its hard for them to see the "EASY-to-see-when-in-first-row" traffic lights.

[@GrouchyBear411]

I am always a big fan of the traffic rules being followed! In Germany you can actually count on people stopping for you when you even just approach a pedestrian crossing. Meanwhile, in the US I got honked and cussed at because I crossed the street (Walk Light on for me) and some asshole was inconvenienced by it, because I delayed their right turn on red...

[@fgregerfeaxcwfeffece]

I also would like to mention that not stopping for pedestrians on those spots is a right of way violation. Car lobbies have not yet completely eliminated the rights of non drivers. Even though the church of the V8 is pulling that equality is oppression BS already. Man their tears would run dry because they died of dehydration in one day if they actually got EQUAL rights/space per person. Just look at google maps images of any city of your choice.

[@josefineseyfarth6236]

The so-called "Rechtsfahrgebot" (stick to the right lane) on multiple lane highways as well as the autobahn is followed by like 90% of the German drivers. But if there are cars driving slow in the left/ middle lane on the autobahn even though the right lane is COMPLETELY clear (we call them "Mittelspurschleicher"), there's a saying in German "Der hat wohl seinen Führerschein im Lotto gewonnen " which means like "Well I guess that guy won his driver's licence in the lottery". About STOP- signs: Yes, they do exist in Germany, but not quite as frequent as in the US. Also, you are supposed to take a full stop there and give way to crossing traffic AND, if you're turning left, to the right-turn and straight lane from the opposing side of the intersection. You'll more likely see "Rechts vor Links" intersections here as well as "give way"- signs. Also note that you have to stick to road signs (or Rechts vor Links if there are none) at intersections with time of day dependent switched off traffic lights. Turn right on red: As some people already mentioned, it's not a common thing at EVERY intersection in Germany to turn right on red if no other vehicles are approaching, though there are exceptions. For example, if you got a separate right- turning lane and you have a green light, you've got the permission to turn right. Also, there are intersections with an additional adaptable green arrow light which is either switched on (so you can turn right on red) or off (you can't, unless the traffic light is green). And there's another option, which is a remnant of the former GDR. If you see a fixed plate with a green arrow facing to the right attached to a traffic light, you may turn right on red IF IT'S SAFE, so you actually have to take a short stop, then approach to the intersection and -if it's clear - you may turn right. But this one is not an obligation, so you're also perfectly allowed to wait at the intersection until you get green.

[@lyaneris]

3rd option: turning lane separated from traffic light with a give way sign - no stopping necessary (uncommon in city centres, but very common for highway entries with traffic lights)

[@derin111]

A couple of points to make here as a dual national- British and German - who spends about half his time driving between the two countries. Whatever “90% of German% drivers do isn’t really necessarily the whole story. Germany lies at the centre of border-free continental Europe. It’s roads are therefore the crossroads of all of Europe with drivers from many, many different countries and with very varied driving standards….even Belgians, for example! Therefore, a bad driver might not may not have “seinen Führerschein im Lotto gewonnen” but instead passed his test in Belgium (for example, again 😂) For people not used to it, like Brits and even I struggle with it because my more natural driving environment is the UK because that’s where I learnt, the “Rechts vor Links” at junctions is IMHO the worst thing ! 😂. We just don’t have this in the UK because every junction is clearly marked with lines on the road which indicate who is to give way. Roads crossing each other in a city (I drive a lot in Hannover) cause me no end of stress before I get used to it again each time! 😂

[@maxmisterman785]

3:10 I think lights before the junktion make more sense: You see them earlier, they are the first thing you see. Most lights have a shorter one to the side so you dont need to crawl over the wheel to see it.

[@pixelbartus]

I think having the traffic light on the own side of the intersection is safer. When you see the red light in the dark or when it is foggy approaching an unknown interception you know from far away where you have to stop, and don't have to guess how big the crossing street might be.

[@ladymetalhead5876]

And sometimes you aren’t allowed to turn right. Or just when it turns green. Because of pedestrians

[@papaquonis]

Almost everything about Germany in this video is the same in Denmark. We also had a debate about turn right on red a few years ago, which seems like a great idea, until you consider the danger it poses to other road users. And since you're probably more likely to meet a lot more pedestrians and cyclists on many European streets and roads compared to in the States, I'm certainly happy that we decided not to adopt that particular rule.

[@torbenjohannsen5427]

As many said, the traffic lights are no problem. Especially those overhead hanging lights are for the cars further down the line, for the front car(s) there is another light either to the left or right much lower (like 2.5 or 3m high). But from my experience what was not mentioned in the video: The are WAY more full-text signs in the US than Germany. It was really hard/distracting the first couple of days driving in the US. For example in NYC many signs were "no right turn on red" (this is a 3 or 4 line full text sign) or "give way to ped's on left turn" (even longer) or "no parking on the shoulder" (on highways). Those things are all clearly regulated in the standard driving rules in Germany so we do not need big full-text signs explaining the rules any more. Of course after couple of days driving in the US you knew those signs and did not need to read them all over again, but still I found them quite annoying

[@wolf310ii]

A few weeks ago i saw a speed limit sign in front of a school, in the US, with a long list of all the changes between 30 and 15 mph every few minutes. when the studend were supposed to be in class the speed limit was 30mph and a few minutes befor and after the lessons it was 15mph

[@Wolf-ln1ml]

There are some intersections where at least for left-turning vehicles, there is only the overhead light. And I know of two intersections where it's _so_ badly set up that you have to drive up to the line in order to trigger the light to change, and then you're so close that even from the 2.5m height in a truck, you have to dislocate your neck in order to see the damn light...

[@Daniel-uo5lm]

Afaik the Traffic lights here in germany are on the driver's side of the intersection here so that drivers are more aware of their surroundings, especially pedestrians and cyclists near them, instead of staring into the distance oblivious to their "neighbors". For example if you turn right, but waiting on a red light, the traffic light is to your right, almost right above the cyclist's head that is about to head straight over the intersection the moment you are trying to turn right. So chances are high you'll see the cyclist and not kill him/her. Same with the turn right on red. The chances of people missing a cyclist or a pedestrian are too high, so we'd rather have a full red cycle for cars then a red blood stain on the road. But yea, America is exclusively build for cars and the convenience of the drivers, europe somewhat keeps people's lives in mind.

[@t.a.k.palfrey3882]

There's a family of six which moved to Bavaria just as Covid hit. The four kids are at local schools. They have been making detailed videos of every aspect of family life: schools, village life, local culture, travel, visits to München, shopping, food, outdoor activites. They're very well produced. The site is called My Merry Messy German Life. Btw, my third son, who attended uni in Massachusets, always remarked after lacrosse practice that the size of trucks his teammates drove were in reverse proportion to their penis size! 🙄🤭

[@oliboy6204]

Sounds interesting, can you say the channel name pls?

[@t.a.k.palfrey3882]

@@oliboy6204 my merry messy german life

[@CyBearOfBearBros]

In Germany the traffic lights are on your side of the crossing, so if the road is completely covered in snow or the road markings are missing you still know to stop at (or better in front of) your light.

[@gudrunmarquardt3357]

In Germany, you have the traffic light above, but you also have the traffic light on the side, so the people in the front can see the light and don’t have to try to look above

[@Blazeor2]

With the traffic-lights on your side, there is a lesser chance to get misslead by green light from another direction, so we have much less T-boning in Europe then in US

[@yourgrandmotherspimp1280]

It does annoy me in the UK, they're on the close side here, they should make them lower down on the posts, bing tall I just rely on looking at the reflection off my car because I cant see them at all unless I lean right down

[@foxt9151]

here in vienna we got them on the opposite side, as far as i know, its the only city in austria to have them on the other side and i gotta say, it is way more convenient

[@lbergen001]

Yes, traffic lights on the other side means for me: "Stop, although I already passed the intersection".

[@renesommerfeld1559]

American: The driving age is 18? Why is it so old? German: The drinking age is 21? Why is it so old?

[@Grefchen]

In Germany there also are many manual cars. We also have quite a lot if Automatics but manual is normal to us. We learn to drive in Manual except when we decide to learn automatic. But when we learn in Automatic, we can never go back to manual because we never were instructed how to handle a manual car by a professionell. If we learn manual we can always also drive automatics because you basically leave out the clutch and nothing else changes, whereas the other way around, there is the clutch and the third pedal you "don't know how to use". So most of us learn manual just to have the freedom of choosing instead of being limited to one way.

[@bertnijhof5413]

From the Netherlands, turning right through red light kills too many cyclists and pedestrians.

[@Ray_Vun]

turning right on red isn't really a possibility because that right turn will likely be met with a crosswalk. there'll be pedestrians walking on a pedestrian green light. and when it's green for them, it's red for cars, so if you could go right on red, you'd risk hitting a pedestrian who was crossing the crosswalk on green

[@nomaam9077]

3:05 - You should only drive as far forward as you can see the traffic light. Then the problem doesn't even arise.

[@listey]

Yep it's not that complicated is it hahah

[@markuskomann3108]

9:58 That is not a german motorway but it is in Czech Republic. In Germany the traffic signs for motorways are blue and for other main roads yellow 10:24 Fun fact: the general speed limit for towns of 50 kph does only apply for motorized vehicles. But not for bicycles. Other speedlimits signaled by traffic signs also apply for bicycles. 13:16 / 13:26 On crossings the basic rule is "Yield to the right". Unless there are traffic signs for priority. 4-way Stops with "first come first serve" rule are unknown .

[@realulli]

If you have a speedometer on your bicycle, you might still get a ticket if caught.

[@Frahamen]

good luck cycling faster than 50 km/h; especially in traffic.

[@realulli]

@@Frahamen Downhill, lots of bikes have no problem exceeding that.

[@rosenclosed]

There's a reason why stop lights are on your end of the intersection in germany. it's simply to stop people from stopping behind the stop line or with the car halfway across the stop line, because if you would, you wouldn't be able to see the light anymore... Keeps intersections safer

[@philippbretzler7687]

Passing left, driving right is essential important for "no speedlimit".

[@petrameyer1121]

The lights for the front row of cars at the intersection are mounted to the sides! The ones above are for the cars behind you!

[@yannickurbach5654]

Yeah but when there's a truck or SUV next to you, you'll have to make do with the one above you.

[@louismart]

You learn where to stop to see the light.

[@avi.chan23]

Not following the rules is not ''freedom'' it's egoistic and ruthless against others. Rules exist for a reason...

[@berndheghmanns1437]

Hello JPS, you have to say that to get a driver's license in Germany, you have a lot of work ahead of you. 1. You have to register in a driving school. there you first get the theory and learn the rules. After that, when the driving instructor thinks you can do the theory. You do the test at the so-called TÜV (that stands for Technical Monitoring Association) (The TÜV also inspects your vehicle every 2 years also) If you pass the theory test there, you only start driving afterwards. The driving instructor in the passenger seat and you in the driver's seat. However, the driving instructor can intervene because he has both a brake and a clutch on the passenger seat. You have to drive for at least 20 hours, which includes driving on the motorway, overland and at night, and when the driving instructor thinks you are ready, Then you can drive with a TÜV examiner, in the back and your instructor at your side. The examiner says you where to drive and watch how you drive. And if you pass this you get your driver's license. So the whole game lasts months and cannot be shortened and of course it costs! Oh yes, what I just described is my experience and it was more than 3 decades ago and I don't know if there have been any changes since then. I don't think that has changed that much.

[@wolf310ii]

Its minimum of 12 hours (a 45min). The practical driving lessons can start anytime after registration, not only after the passed theory exam. The instructor also has a full set of pedals, not only clutch and brake. It last usually months, but it can be shortened to less than a week, there is no legal required timeout between the lessons, you just need to absolve the minimum required lessons (40x45min) wich is doable in 4 days. On Day 1 to 3 7 hours theory and a double hour practical and on day 4 theory exam, the last 6 practical hours and practical exam. In the 80s my father made his driving license in a week, because he lied in a job interview about having a driving license

[@bigmadx7142]

Right on red is extremely unsafe for pedestrians and bicycles. In car dependant US that is probably not a big deal but in Europe we would have much more casualties. We solved the issue (in the Netherlands) with sensors that sense any traffic and gives green lights whenever possible. (There are hardly any dumb lights here.) Not just bikes has a very good video on it.

[@june4976]

Black Forest Family is a great channel to learn about Germany. Ashton and Jonathan both put so much effort in understanding why and always research on reliable sources.

[@EinChris75]

Traffic lights are in front of the intersections, because they are not always 90° like in the US. Turn on red is only allowed when there is a special traffic sign (a static green arrow next to the red light). Then the red light becomes like a stop sign for right turning traffic, plus any pedestrian crossing gets right of way. German streets are smaller, because many of them are centuries old (including the buildings next to them).

[@Marco-zt6fz]

A big different is also the cost of the driver license between the US and Germany, In germany you pay about 2000 dollar and more, depent how many hours you need with the driver instructor.

[@oskarprotzer3000]

the reason our traffic lights are right in front of you is because thats where you have to stop. We didnt plan our cities for cars and perfect 90 degree crossings. A lot of times it would be extremely hard to figure out where you should stop, especially for people who drive in that area for the first time. I think it is much more important to know where to stop, than to save a look around.

[@peterpritzl3354]

Driving on the Autobahn in Germany is actually fun, when everybody follows the rules, it's like a well choreographed dance, versus the mess it's in the US.

[@proislam-co6pg]

Only if you can drive. Foreigners usually can not.

[@tarmok3756]

You CAN drive under 18, but there are limites to it. Either by having someone older with a license be with you or depending on what you are diving. If I remeber orrect you can drive small motorized bikes and such at 16 and also get a kind of trainee licens at 16(or 17) for cars, but again you need an registered adult to be next to you

[@lyaneris]

BF17 (overwatched driving at 17)-> at that point you already have passed the exam and your license (a temporary red slip that gets exchanged on your 18th birthday)! Btw, the adult needs to be registered on your license, be 25+, have continously had their license for at least 5 years and max 2 points in Flensburg.

[@Wolf-ln1ml]

Agricultural tractors are also an exception, you can get a licence for them at age 16 (with some restrictions again)

[@MomoPersikka]

I'm not sure if there are traffic lights without it but traffic lights in Germany are in two bits - one is hanging up in the air and one is located lower on the pillar where also the pedestrian lights hang so you only have to turn your head usually right to properly see the light so you won't have to lean forward and crane your neck also it's easy to remember speed limit when there isn't a sign (goes for normal cars - there are lower speed limits for trailers etc.): town/city 50 km/h; outside of town/city 100 km/h; autobahn 130 km/h (more like a recommended speed limit)

[@annig.5063]

There is nothing to add to that!😊👍🥰

[@curties]

you dont have to do gymnastics to look at german stop lights. you stop your car at the lines indicated and look at the "pole" to the right of you for the lights. the lights that are mounted higher or above your view are for the cars behind you so they can see them.

[@may51973]

As in the rest of Europe. At least the countries where I've been to

[@julialyttle3843]

Same thing in NZ. There's either a cycle lane or pedestrian crossing... they have priority over vehicles turning to the left or right. I think it's just common sense.

[@johnfisher9816]

Driving in France is much like in Germany, even the traffic light design. Driving in Canada is very similar to the US (but we're more polite at 4-way stops naturally ; ) ). Wonderfully informative video, Joel. John in Canada

[@andrep4608]

The next mistake is driving license at 18 in Germany. You can get a driver's license at 17. But when driving later, until you are 18, a person over the age of 29 must be there and have a 5-year driver's license and no points in the criminal record.

[@redcrafterlppa303]

3:30 always being allowed to turn right on red endangeres pedestrians a lot. Being able to turn right on red causes many accidents. In Germany we have a special sign mounted right to the red light (a green arrow to the right) that allows turning right on red. These signs are only applied when traffic studies show that this intersection is safe to turn right on red and it actually would improve traffic. (evaluating risk to benefit on every intersection individually)

[@hallomatti]

As for the size of the car and roads, you have to remember that our cities were there before cars. Depending on how you do the math, cars are about 160 years old. German cities are much older. Many Americans who run a KZbin channel and live here in Germany don't think about this fact when they compare conditions with the US. And the ideas of a car-oriented city from the 1960s have fortunately been overcome. We don't have to adapt our environment to the car, but rather the way we move to the environment. As for turning right on red, the Black Forest family is unlucky to live in West Germany. In the east (formerly East Germany), there is the green arrow, which allows you to drive even when the traffic light is red, if traffic permits. You stop briefly, look to see if a car is coming from the left, and then turn.

[@feyrh3740]

If you are wondering, in Australia, we tend to have the lights on both sides of the intersection. We have close ones and ones across.

[@Miromf]

Most of the traffic lights are perfectly visible here in Europe. I’ve never been in America and not planing to go there ever lol. Greetings from Switzerland.

[@johnchristmas7522]

As a Brit who has driven right across America, many times, I have to agree that Europeans are much better drivers. With Americans, the guy doing 70mph could have "learnt" to drive on a farm or ranch, has no knowledge of road discipline and cares less about the other drivers. On the road together with the high likely hood of being without insurance. Learning to drive in Europe is much harder. You are taught be qualified instructors and have to pass both driving ability and road sense tests. Its also expensive, which in turn, makes you not to want to loose your licence. There are high penalties for driving without care and attention. Americans have a belief that just they, are the ones on the road, have a 'right' to do whatever they like and they do. Crossing lanes, over taking in the right lanes, driving far to close at high speed, busy on their phones or McDonalds, completely irresponsible. Where as in Europe, its the opposite. Getting in a tin box and lead footing it down the road is easy, every fool can do that. Thats NOT being able to drive. By the way "FREEDOM" IS BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR OTHERS AS WELL AS YOURSELF.

[@wuetend9]

The reason why we can drive on the autobahn as fast as we want is that we all follow the rules. Otherwise we would have accidents all the time.

[@blablupp13]

as a german here is my opinion : when i was driving in america i loved that the traffic lights where on the other side of the intersection ... my guess to why its diffrent in germany is to make sure the cars stop in front of the intersection at the red light and not going into the intersection before noticing the red light ... propably for pedestrian protection, who usually have green light and can cross when you have the red light as a cardriver (that logic might also apply to the reason why it is not allowed to turn right on red)

[@KaySan666]

My guess about the driving age is, that when you're allowed to drive (a car)at 18, but are allowed to drink from a much earlier age, then you already have your wildest times behind you. You got drunk, you might have gone to the hospital for alcohol poisoning already, and got that rebellious spirit out of you. Then you start driving. With an earlier driving age, like in the US vor example, you're driving for years until you're allowed to drink , then go totally all out once you hit 21, binge drink and think "Well i can still drive home because i've been driving for 5 years now and been all safe" There is probably a totally different reason for why they chose 18 (you're now allowed to get it earlier, but i think you are only allowed to drive with a guardian present) but i kinda like my guess as well.

[@furzkram]

Stop Lights: once you have the road covered with snow you can't see any markings anymore. Where exactly to go and stop is unclear. In germany you have the stop lights and you are supposed to stop in front of them. No doubts left.

[@witthyhumpleton3514]

Turning right on red, according to one US study on the topic, increases the likelyhood of collision between pedestrians and cars by 62%, to that I say, no thank you.

[@thestonegateroadrunner7305]

In Germany it is not legally possible to move the traffic lights to the other end of the intersection. Anyone who runs a red light risks losing their driving license in Germany. But that's exactly what drivers in the USA have to do. If you turn left on a green light, you will suddenly see a red traffic light in front of you. This is not compatible with the requirement that laws must be clear. Due to the positioning of traffic lights in favor of legal clarity vs. in favor of comfort in Germany, there are also far fewer legal proceedings following accidents at intersections. Anyway, there are usually several lights at different heights and the positioning of the lights is only a potential issue for the first car in the row.

[@brownhatknight3473]

In my area in Germany we have a green arrow at the traffic lights, that means your free to go right, if nobody is coming.

[@lennat24]

13:06 This is a wrong information. On every German junction without a traffic light or a sign "right for left" is the rule. If a car is on the right sight of you, you have to let him drive first. Surely, if you only know the US-Rule "who ever comes first - drives first" you think the driver on the right sight is rude when he suddendly pass in in front of you. But this driver has the right of way and you are about to take it from him if you drive first. Nice to see that they have now named this point correctly in there current version of there video on KZbin. They also mentioned that they didn't know this beforehand.

[@ticktaeck7783]

13:18 I'm quite sure that this is a cut error. Germany has the rule right before left so at every intersection without any sign or traffic light the car on the right side goes first.

[@Frohds14]

There are enough studies that prove that the frequency of accidents at American intersections with the high traffic lights and the traffic lights behind the intersection is higher because drivers do not orientate on the other drivers, but only on the traffic lights. In Germany you are taught during driver's license training that you should first pay attention to the other drivers and then to the traffic lights, even if you are the first in the row. You can only drive when the others did start or stop. That's why it makes a lot more sense to pay attention to the bumper of the driver in front of you than to stare at the traffic light all the time.

[@MrDekuchan]

the light issue isnt a problem at every time. Sometimes there are the same lights as in america.

[@timglennon6814]

Same in the U.K., drivers always block the overtaking lane.

[@eliasveselsky790]

the thing whith you cant drive when its red is easily explained. The traffic light has a saffty reason its not only there for handling how is driving first in big traffic, but makes it so that you cant unsee a car and crash in to it (you still have to look but yk) if there is less traffic on specific times and days that are regular like evry weekends or past 8pm traffic lights in less populated city's are turned of and traffic signs rule the streets... so one example why that rule is so important is that some traffic lights are realy important for example when a intersection are meating at a specific angle where drivers have difficulties seeing the other car (sometimes dealed whith stop signs but often people ignore them wich leads to fatalities) so a stop light sloes down traffic and then can order hows driving next....

[@stevealexR1]

You looked shocked about the German driving age and yet America has such a ridiculously restricted drinking age of 21???

[@arthur_p_dent]

4:23 well, I believe in a follow-up video he had realized on his own that right turn on red may not be quite _that_ safe, after all. Especially when pedestrians and cyclists are in the mix. Which is of course much less of an issue in most parts of the US than in Europe.

[@Alpha_7227]

I have a feeling Melbourne Australia pinched alot of ideas from Germany, like bike lanes, roundabouts and speed cameras.

[@RustyDust101]

The 'same side of the road street signals' is based on the fact that the human eyeball is physically unable to focus on two objects separated by a distance greater than a few centimeters/inches apart in the distance (along any of the three axis). The greater the discrepancy the greater the time to refocus. Everything outside your direct focus is blurred (literally out of focus). So if you focus on the stop light on the OTHER side of the intersection you are unable to focus on the stop LINE on YOUR side of the intersection, and vice versa. Granted, it takes only about 0.5 seconds to refocus completely, but those 0.5 seconds carry your vehicle roughly 12 yards at 55 mph. So if the stop light on the other side of the intersection turns yellow you have to make a split second decision of wether to stop or to accelerate to still get through the intersection. In this split second decision you have to focus on YOUR side of the road for the stop line, gauge the distance, then on the potentially changing light on the other side again. If there are MULTIPLE signals on the other side, with different lights for turning lanes, then you also have to differentiate if the different color is appropriate for your lane. All of this takes a minute amount of processing time for your brain, during which your vehicle either continues rolling, or you hit the brakes to deccelerate. With loads of people wanting to get through an intersection this allows for multiple chances to make a wrong decission, resulting in a greater chance of accidents. With the stop line and street signals on the same side, they are still a bit apart, but the distances are much smaller, allowing for much faster refocussing. Also, with narrower roads and usually only one, at most two or three lanes straight, and usually only ONE turning lane, with separate street signals separated by several meters from each other for the specific turning lane, the chance of error for mistakenly seeing one of the turning lane signals for your direction, is very small. Yes, it is a minor inconvenience to bend forward when you are at the front of the queue at a stop signal, agreed. But the safety aspect is IMO more important.

[@Pucky71]

If you can't see the traffic light, then you've driven too far ahead. There are also very often side traffic lights or traffic lights for turning lanes almost like in America. Basically, German drivers are very disciplined and consider other road users.

[@boesespferd]

It's strange they missed the biggest difference: Two out of three cars in Germany have a manual gearbox. Many people still prefer that. If you rent a car you might want to check on that before you sign.

[@realulli]

Actually, the stop light position is really smart. I've seen people in some other countries creep forward to be the first off the light, and creep and creep, ... until the started interfering with cross traffic. If you creep forward in Germany, at some point you can't see the light any more at all, at that point you're definitely not going to be the first off the light. That happens well before you start to interfere with cross traffic. ;-)

[@wolcek]

Why the lights are before the intersection? Well, we tend to have intersections more complicated than 2 roads at the right angle.

[@Beamy2000]

3:30 Yeah, turn right on red, and impact some pedestrians you didnt expect, who got green light right now. There´s a lot more pedestrians in europe, than in the states. So what seems inconvenient on first sight, is a matter of safety. The "passing on left, then go back to right lane" isnt etiquette, though. It is law. And you will be fined, if you dont follow that. Or dead, when someone comes flying behind you. Neither is desirable^^

[@RickTheClipper]

Right on Red! We have much more pedestrians than the US

[@drcl7429]

In the UK a a 30mph speed limit can be indicated by distance between lamposts or as you might say streetlights.

[@hightie1]

The redlight : you dont HAVE TO go right up to the line, you can actually stop earlier so you dont have to "lean into the light". Turning right at red : wee have pedestrians and bicyclists that actually also are in traffic and could be crossing .

[@HH-hd7nd]

4:25 This is something other countries don't pick up for the most part because it is dangerous. This leads to a lot more accidents in the USA than most people think actually. People die on US streets because someone goes on read and has simply overlooked something every day. This turning driving on red gets people injured or even killed in the USA every day. That said - there are some situations where it is allowed in Germany: If the traffic light has a small sign with a green arrow pointing to the right you are allowed to go even if the light is red....however the other street still has priority. Usually these green arrow signs can only be found on very small roads with little traffic and slow speeds as in residential areas for example. 6:05 No. Dangerous, that's what it is. Just like with US gun laws you pay a steep price for the so-called freedom, a price payed in corpses in body-bags. 11:40 What's so hard about that? 50 km/h within cities and villages, 100 km/h everywhere else, no limit on an Autobahn (unlike what most US americans believe the Autobahn is not a specific road, it is our speedway network). If the speed limits are different there will be a sign indicating the allowed limit. Simple as that - I'm sure even US americans are capable of remembering three different speed limits. 19:25 It is so weird that these laws are not enforced in the USA. In most states in the USA overtaking on the right is forbidden and the left lane is for overtaking. You can get fined in many states in the USA if you don't follow these rules just like in Germany.

[@goatbrother8718]

Another thing, in order to get a driver license you need to take course in first aid, incl. cpr, as mentioned. Because it is mandatory to provide help at an accident. Failure to provide assistance/help at an emergency is a crime in Germany and you can face up to one year of time in jail.

[@mandalorthedeaf1237]

Unfortunately the left lane passing, right lane cruising rule isn't followed as they say it is. We have established the term "Mittelspurschleicher" That's people driving on the center lane (if there are three available) or the left lane barely reaching 100km/h while having plenty of room on the right lane or even worse: the right lane is completely empty. That's even more annoying, because passing on the right is a "no go" by law! Imagine the following scenario: You're driving with 140 km/h (around 88mph, which is casual cruising speed for many germans) on the right lane and in front of you, you see someone driving way slower but on the lane left to you. To legally pass him you have to get over to the left lane, crossing the center lane, just to pass this one vehicle and then cross the center lane again to get back on the right lane. if it's in the middle of the night, no biggie. But when there's a little more traffic, this can be quite dangeros, so you have to slow down a lot to make sure you can pass safely. Plus: there's always the possibility of a vehicle approaching with 200km/h or even more. But these guys usually stay on the left lane for that reason. And yeah, sometimes the traffic light placement is really annoying.

[@bas1330]

It is actually well solved with the traffic lights at the intersections. You always have 2. At the top for the cars behind that are approaching or from the 2nd/3rd car onwards. On the side there is ALWAYS another traffic light for the first (and 2nd) car. So you just have to turn your head a bit to the side. In the US, the cars approaching from behind only see the red light late if it is far away at the other end of the intersection and can therefore not drive proactive/foresighted. Especially at larger intersections with several lanes, it can quickly become confusing which traffic light at the other end belongs to which lane. In Germany, the problem is solved with arrows inside the lights of the side traffic lights. Right on red also exists in Germany where it is possible and where no pedestrians/cyclists are endangered, which simply exist much, much more in Germany. Normally, when you have red, the others have green, including bike lanes (which sometimes go quite fast, now especially if they are e-bikes). Right on red, if possible, is either indicated by a green arrow on a traffic light pointing in the appropriate direction, which overrules a red light for that special direction...or by a fixed green arrow (a small sign) next to the traffic light.

[@Robinson160277]

right on red, is also a problem, because there could come a car with 100KM ...

[@the_real_one4456]

if u put the traffic lights on the opposite side of the road, it’s just confusing. it’s so much easier to understand traffic lights in germany

[@buschhuhn9197]

The white lines before red lights are meant to give you an appropriate distance to still see the traffic lights. They also vary in distance, given the narrow streets, to ensure that turning lorries don't get stuck cause somebody is blocking the last centimetres of their turning operation 😂

[@DontPanick]

Almost nobody in Germany will scream at you when you jaywalk.

[@luk4s56]

rly? i got a fine for that! it was 2$ but still...

[@My1xT]

why would you need to keep an eye out for speed cameras? there's this technique called "driving within the speed limit"

[@billyo54]

If American drivers had to pass the European test there probably be only a thousand cars in the country 🙄

[@luk4s56]

i mean most "kids" who grow up with their parents teaching them how to drive actualy fail multiple times more than someone starting fresh. so yeah there would be alooot less drivers, and the drivers that are on the road would be alot more attentive knowing how much work getting the license back is.

[@fgregerfeaxcwfeffece]

2:30 That means you drove to close, very simple. The 1 big common sense rule that also proves how few people actually have common sense: "Think before you drive!" But if I recall correctly that's also the main rule the instructors hammer in. Yet people still ignore it consistently. And proudly display it too!

[@tobias5224]

Regarding the position of the traffic light, in Germany and really Europe most traffic lights are not "one way green". Therefore straight, left and right lights are independent of each other. Especially the right turn lane is divided and routed a little different, where it would be impossible to place the light anywhere else. That is also the case in general, European streets and crossings are way smaller than those American multi lane roads pictured. Putting the lights an then other end would be confusing and dangerous.

[@Nikioko]

Drinking age in Germany is 16, at least for low alcohol beverages. Liquor is 18.

[@realulli]

You were wondering why there is no right turn on red in Germany. We tried, with a green arrow sign to allow right turns or red, it turned out there were quite a few collisions due to that, so the green arrows disappeared and everyone has to stop and wait for the green light.

[@piglos]

I live in Victoria, which seems like the Germany of Australia. 18yo to get your licence, then you are on red P plates for a year, displayed front and back, to advise others that you're a newbie. And after that 3 years on green Ps for the same reason. Also used as police bait. No left turn on red (right hand driving) here, default 100kmh on open roads unless otherwise posted (rare 110kmh), and default 50kmh in suburbs

[@d2ndborn]

I have driven there many times. I find it very nice. The other drivers are polite most of the time. I have gotten a couple of speeding tickets. Due to the hidden camera and me not paying attention. Check out their stream of them building the new home.

[@neilfleming2787]

the whole thing with speeding and looking out for cameras or police waiting to catch you....JUST DONT SPEED.

[@dennishorst9367]

btw you can lose your license for "jaywalking " in germany and your license cost between 1000-2000€

[@sedmidivka]

I'm curious, do you have the police speed checks announced on the radio? cause we do, people would call in and say they've seen a police check and it also shows on the waze app. I'm curious if that is common everywhere or not. some would say it's dangerous to tell people where the checks are but if you think about it, what it does is that people who hear it would slow down, just in case. and the police can just move to some other place :D that's probably why it's not illegal to announce it

[@runner1086]

I could add that in Sweden we have the red lights both on the same side and on the far side on the street cross.

[@BBKing1977]

I thought at the end they were going to talk about fuel. In Germany (and most of Europe), it's quite common for a small car to run on diesel fuel. In the US, you rarely see diesel for small vehicles, usually just pickup trucks, large SUVs, and larger vehicles (busses, semis, etc.). I'm in Canada, and we do have a few diesel cars, but they're mostly German brands.

[@lyaneris]

The reason for more diesel cars is cost, especially if you drive a lot. Diesel is (usually) cheaper, but the taxes on the car are higher.