[kellyhound]

A E90 BMW 3-Series sedan failed to slow down in time to allow an emergency services van safe passage through an intersection in Leverkusen, Germany resulting in a serious crash where three people got injured.

The accident took place on May 31st. The Mercedes DRK vehicle had its sirens on and carefully attempted to make its way past the intersection. DRK stands for Deutsche Rotes Kreuz / German Red Cross, which accounts for 60% of the country’s emergency medical services.

[Aries85]

D'oh!

[William May]

I thought German drivers were better than this. This is something I would expect in the U.S. but I would never expect it in Germany.

[gimlet]

Originally Posted by William May ↗

I thought German drivers were better than this. This is something I would expect in the U.S. but I would never expect it in Germany.

Germany / Austria has some of the most aggressive drivers in the world. True, they are smarter and more skilled than Asian (oriental) drivers, but they drive like fledermaus' out of Hell and have seemingly no fear of violent death. Very pushy and almost psychotic driving styles, flying up on people at 130 mph+ blinking their lights hoping they see them in time, no regard for pedestrians, passing into blind oncoming traffic etc etc etc on 2 way roads.... Americans are incredibly cautious drivers in comparison.

[kellyhound]

Originally Posted by gimlet ↗

Germany / Austria has some of the most aggressive drivers in the world. True, they are smarter and more skilled than Asian (oriental) drivers, but they drive like fledermaus' out of Hell and have seemingly no fear of violent death. Very pushy and almost psychotic driving styles, flying up on people at 130 mph+ blinking their lights hoping they see them in time, no regard for pedestrians, passing into blind oncoming traffic etc etc etc on 2 way roads.... Americans are incredibly cautious drivers in comparison.

[gimlet]

Originally Posted by kellyhound ↗

Awesome work Kellyhound. I had never seen statistics by country until you posted this image, I was just basing my post on my experience driving in Europe. Sometimes experience and intuition are correct, I guess.

One thing is for sure, those Krauts really fuckin' fly on the Autobahn, and all the power to them for that. I just wish they wouldn't refuse to take their foot off the gas at 150 mph when someone is blocking their path, or insist on passing on dangerous winding mountain roads loaded with crosses on the side for the unfortunate accident victims...

[William May]

Wow! I had no idea about that!
I was raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which is a largely German city. Even the architecture is influenced by Germany.
One thing I have always noted is that I thought that people in Milwaukee usually drove the way I imagined Germans would drive, which is EFFICIENTLY. If there is an event on the road, it used to be that traffic would adapt instantly. When the light turns green, everyone MOVES. They aren't stopping to think of what day it is, or where they thought they were going, or why they are even in the car. There was no "cow-like" amazement and total stoppages like we have in Tucson. People drove fast, but in my opinion, pretty well. I was unaware that drivers in Europe are that bad. I had heard they get extensive training there, which is totally absent in the U.S. Here there is very little training. You just get your permit, drive like a moron, pass your driver's test, and get your license. Then you drive in the left lane at 26 mph, with your turn signal on, and put on your brakes every 50 feet or so. That's a typical U.S. driver. (I had always thought about taking my motorcycle to Europe and riding where the people are civilized, rather than here, where someone tries to kill me at least once a day on my bike. But maybe I'm wrong, and I'd be road kill over there as well. (I love DR, but I don't really want to be featured on it, if you take my meaning.)

[Necrotic Bowel]

Driver probably didn’t see the ambulance. Notice the large white van in the next lane that pulls up at the very end. It probably shielded the cars view.