“we do not need a general rigid speed limit on open roads. ” simon schütz is a spokesperson for the vda's automotive industry. “we need situation adapted speed regulation. the vda suggests digital boards could show a speed limit when bad weather or traffic conditions require it. according to the group, a rigid limit would have minimal effects on the climate or road safety. its fact sheet references a study that says the limit could cost german society more than a billion euros. the study calculated how much time germans would lose if they drove slower. and how much of an average wage they would miss out on, as a result. but this 2023 paper published in the journal for ecological economics disputes assertions like these. its cost benefit analysis says germany could save hundreds of millions every year. because yes - there is a cost to the speed limit. but benefits like paying less for fuel, damages from accidents and even future effects of climate change outweigh these costs. recent attempts to implement a speed limit have been denied in parliament. because one of the parties in power, t