German U-turn on Autobahns?????

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Sun 2 Oct 2005 15:15
German U-turn on Autobahns????? - artful dodger {P}
Article in todays Sunday Telegraph about allowing motorists to drive the wrong way along an autobahn to escape a traffic jam.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005...l

Is this something new as I have had experience of Police directing traffic back down a closed motorway one the section affect had been closed to further traffic.


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Roger
I read frequently, but only post when I have something useful to say.
You should learn
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Sun 2 Oct 2005 15:27
German U-turn on Autobahns????? - Altea Ego
Motorway U-turns will be allowed only in response to a major jam. Before giving the go-ahead, a police commander will be required to assess the potential delay from the blockage and to ensure there are sufficient traffic police to redirect vehicles safely, by loudspeaker. Police would also have to be confidant that smaller roads linking with autobahn junctions would be able to handle such an influx.

Hmmm, so that would mean the british police would take about 7 hours to decide to allow the u turn.


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Mon 3 Oct 2005 12:07
German U-turn on Autobahns????? - artful dodger {P}
I thought it meant that traffic could turn around on the same carriageway and return the wrong way along the autobahn. It seems as though Police permission was going to be required before this procedure could be used after an accident.

Once I was stuck on the M25 when all 3 lanes in both directions were blocked by an accident, the Police were turning cars round and returning them to go back up an entry slip to follow a diversion. The motorway had already been closed with all traffic being directed to the same roundabout via the exit slip. What total chaos and jams for miles around. I believe the lorries either had to wait until the road had been cleared of cars or until the motorway was reopened.


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Roger
I read frequently, but only post when I have something useful to say.
You should learn
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Mon 3 Oct 2005 14:34
German U-turn on Autobahns????? - Cliff Pope
Why turn round - wouldn't reversing be easier?
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Mon 3 Oct 2005 18:48
German U-turn on Autobahns????? - AlastairW
Ever tried reversing for a mile Cliff?
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