Higher speed on Czech highways?

The Minister of Transport Ales Rebicek wants to increase the maximum speed on Czech highways from 130 km/h to 160 km/h. He wants to put an amendment to the law that would enable higher maximum speed where marked.

Some sections of Czech highways would therefore have either road signs with 160 km/h on them where the highway is in a good quality or the maximum speed on highways, which are not suitable for higher speed, would be restricted to present 130 km/h.

The Minister wants to talk about this issue with transport experts first. Some opponents claim that not so many cars in the Czech Republic are suited for such a high speed and not so many highways are in a good quality for fast driving. Also the braking distance is 50 meters longer when comparing the speed of a car driving 160 km/h and 130 km/h.

Also the trend in many European countries is quite opposite. Except Germany, other countries in Europe permit the maximum speed of 130 km/h or lower.