German State Becomes First to Set General Autobahn Speed Limit

BREMEN, Germany – Bremen officials say the northern city-state will be Germany's first to impose a general speed limit on its autobahn.

State environment minister Rainer Loske is saying Monday that cars will have to keep to 120 kilometers per hour (75 miles per hour) for environmental reasons. The measure takes effect Wednesday.

The state is Germany's smallest and has only 60 kilometers (less than 40 miles) of highway. It is run by a center-left coalition of Social Democrats and Greens.

Germany's drivers are renowned for pushing their cars to the limit on parts of the autobahn system. However, strict speed controls already apply on many stretches including construction zones and congested areas.