[Viffermike]

Bottom line:

- In the U.S., driving is seen as a right by both citizens and the government.
- In Germany (and much of the EU), driving is seen as a privilege by both citizens and the government.

That basic difference is reflected in nearly every aspect of driving culture, from speed limits (or the lack thereof) and road etiquette (or the lack thereof) to driver training (or the lack thereof) and assumed responsibility (yes, there's an echo ... or, rather, a recurring theme). It has been this way since both the Autobahn and the Interstate systems were constructed.

That is why we will never see true high-speed highways in the U.S. It's cultural, societal, political, and more.