High Fuel Costs: Women and the Elderly Favor a Temporary Speed Limit

Amidst rising fuel costs, a significant portion of the German populace is signaling a willingness to embrace a temporary speed limit as a measure to conserve energy. A recent Forsa survey, commissioned by Stern and RTL, reveals that 51 percent of Germans find the idea of a time-limited speed limit—120 km/h on highways and 80 km/h on rural roads—to be a sensible approach to reducing fuel consumption. This finding comes at a time when geopolitical tensions, such as the conflict in Iran, have directly impacted global energy prices.

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Around half of Germans find a speed limit sensible.

The survey also highlights a clear demographic divide in opinions. Notably, women (63 percent) and those over 60 (62 percent) are more inclined to support a temporary speed limit, suggesting a greater concern for economic and environmental impacts within these groups. Conversely, men (only 37 percent support) and the core working-age demographic (30-59) show less enthusiasm, perhaps prioritizing driving freedom or questioning the efficacy of such a measure. The younger demographic (under 30) mirrors the overall national split.

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While the majority of women support a temporary speed limit with 63 percent, it is only 37 percent among men.

Politically, the proposed speed limit garners substantial backing from supporters of the Green Party and The Left, with 82 percent in favor. This aligns with their established platforms emphasizing environmental protection and social equity. In stark contrast, only 19 percent of Alternative for Germany (AfD) voters support the idea, indicating a divergence in priorities. While some experts, like Veronika Grimm, view a speed limit as a prudent signal, Federal Minister of Economics, Katherina Reiche, remains skeptical, arguing that fuel prices are determined globally and that domestic speed limits would have minimal impact.

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A speed limit could be a very sensible signal.