@Dutchess_III – I’d never caused an accident since I was 18 and my driving balance sheet shows a total of about 350,000 miles. Then last year at an interstate (autobahn) junction it happened. Wet weather, but I was the only car. I lost control and hit the guard railing. Extensive damage. It was my fault. Normally I would also have had to pay for the railing but at this spot dozens of cars lose control and it was already full of scratches and dents. They didn’t make me pay. I actually knew this was a dangerous spot and I had seen other damaged cars. Still, for a second or so I didn’t fully concentrate. It is prone to happen when you drive a lot. We are not perfect. I am not perfect. Pilots are not perfect. Engineers who build or service planes are not perfect. Technology is a blessing but there is a small price to pay. Absolute safety is an illusion. Excessive worry can cause more damage to our health by the way.
The accident happened at the so-called Frankfurter Kreuz and it is the busiest junction in the whole of Europe. After my accident they reduced the speed limit. I had a long talk with one of the policemen. It’s now 80 km/h 200 meters ahead of the bend and 60 km/h for wet weather. I proudly showed it to my wife couple of months later. See, my sign. At this famous junction. Can you believe it?