Environmentalists demand autobahn speed limit

German environmentalists -- who in the past have campaigned against the country's no-speed-limit autobahns -- are again calling for the imposition of a 120 km/h (75 mph) speed limit. The groups claim the limit would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 30 percent.

Germany's transport minister opposes the idea. "I am committed to a reduction in emissions but a general speed limit on open stretches of road does not make sense," minister Wolfgang Tiefensee said in a statement.

Germany's Financial Times Deutschland agrees: "Derestricted driving on the autobahn is to the Germans what pesto is to the Italians and the baguette is to the French. No one in Italy or in France would dare to try and ban the cultural characteristics of their country."