Autobahn police question?

Question

Who patrols the autobahn's - local police?; state police? like Bavarian or Hessen, within their own state?; or a national police? Not sure how it is categorized?

And what do the police cars look like? White? Black? Unmarked? Or are all of them marked with lights on top.

Do they use radar guns to catch speeders? Not that I would. I know suggested speed limit is 130km/hr.

Answer 1

local and state police patrol the autobahn

mostly looking for those who break the right law and not speeders unless you are going through the townships that the speed limit drops on the autobahn and those who do unsafe lane changes and weaving in and out of traffic.

( unsafe drivers)

all of them are marked with lights on top.

Answer 2

The police is based by state, however not as seperated as in the US.  E.g. A Bavarian police car can follow you over the state lines into Hesse if necessary. The marked cars are white and green with lights on top.  Many times the ones catching speeders or bad drivers on the Autobahn will be unmarked.  They have two ways of catching traffic sinners.  

(1) Radars set up with cameras hidden on the side of the road.  Usually you will know you got caught when you see the little red flash.  Then it's too late.

(2) On the Autobahn they often have unmarked cars driving around.  This is to find and catch people who pose a danger to others.  Those "traffic sinners" are individuals that might not keep the required safety distance, pass on the right ( a HUGE no-no on the Autobahn) or bully other drivers.  There is a big problem with drivers coming up really close behind you, flashing their lights at you, etc while you are passing another car and you are slower than they are.  These unmarked cars are equipped with radar and cameras, so once they pull you over they can show you what you did wrong.  This practice cuts out a lot of arguing.

In general there is no speed limit on the Autobahn. However, there will be instances where there is a speed limit posted, due to the curviness of the road, upcoming construction zones, etc.  While 130 km/h is the suggested driving speed, sometimes they will post speed limits for wet weather or certain hours of the day.  Drivers are also required to use good common sense and adjust their speed according to road, weather and general driving conditions, even when there is no speed limit.

I have seen marked Porsche's on the Autobahn before, so trust me, they will catch you if you dare.

I'm stationed here with my husband in the Army, we have just bought a new American specs car.  I was very disappointed to find out it had a governor.  It kicked in at 120mph.

Love the Autobahn, but then again, I'm German. We're born with a heavy right foot.

Answer 3

the federal police cars are green & white.

Note about traffic violations:

1.  Issuing speeding tickets based upon automatic photos is legal.  Using radar guns is legal.

2.  Speeding is strongly enforced in reduced speed-limit zones.  Even if you are on the Autobahn, it DOES NOT mean the speed limit is 130 km/hr (which is about 75 mph).  ALWAYS pay attention to the speed limit signs.

3.  Speeding is a no-no with bad weather or poor driving conditions.  Like in the US, it doesn't really matter if the posted speed limit is 130 kph, if it's heavily raining or lots of fog.

4.  The tolerated limit for alcohol is much lower than in the US.  Beer is great there, but you will get in a LOT of trouble for drinking/driving.

5.  Make sure you get an international driver's license (available at AAA).  The rental car companies there might rent you a car with an American license (this happened to me) - but I don't know if the German police will accept it.

Answer 4

I think the state police; and the cars look like regular civilian's cars (mostly Mercedes, BMW, or Audi).  They put a light on the roof when they want to stop you and have a police sign in the back window and they drive in front of the car they want to stop and start that light.  They use radar guns, or they drive the same speed you're going to see if you are speeding.  They give you 6 to 10km/hr just because they may be going slower or faster than you.  They also keep video cams in the car to show you what happened if you want to see it.

Answer 5

Local police around the cities and the state police outside the cities. Some of the police cars are green and white and then there are unmarked cars. They use radar guns and some places, they use cameras. It was 130 KPH, except around cities

where it'll be about 80 KPH.

Answer 6

there is only a minimum speed limit to my knowledge of the autobahn.  they use cameras to monitor that road for accidents and thats about it..  don't hit any animals cuz u get fined for all thier possible offspring .. like 12 generations worth

Answer 7

The Polezi normanlly have greeen and white OPELs that they drive, also some newer blue and white ones Ive seen around Frankfurt, they also have unmarked cars and you never really know what they are going to be, except for that they are new looking mostly. They have radar but speeders are usually caught by a photo box set up on the side of the autobahn, I have been photo'd a few times,im stationed in Germany, sometimes you get the ticket in the mail and sometimes not,It normally comes after two months. The autobahn has a limit of 120KMs generally accepted but the rule of thumb is to drive a spped safe for the conditions on uncontrolled autobahn areas, some parts of the autobahn has limits. The German police are run nationally and not as a state or township entity like in the USA.The use blue lights only on top of marked cars.