'Last Sunday too only a very short drive for reasons of economy, but particularly interesting. Half by chance we found ourselves on the new Reich autobahn from Wilsdruff to Dresden., less than an hour after it opened.There were still flags and flowers from the ceremony in the morning, a mass of cars moving slowly forward at a sigh seeing pace, only occasionally did anyone attempt greater speed. This straight road, consisting of four broad lanes, each direction divided by a strip of grass, is magnificent. And bridges for people to cross over it. Spectators crowded onto these bridges and the sides of the roads. A procession, and a glorious view since we were driving towards the Elbe and the Lossnitz Hills in the evening sun. We drove the whole stretch and back again twice (two times 7 and a 1/2 miles) and twice I risked a speed of 50 mph. A great pleasure, but what a luxury, and how much sand in the eyes of the people. There are constantly accidents at hundreds of railway crossings, thousands of roads are in worse condition, everywhere there is a lack of cycle paths, which would do more to prevent accidents than all the tightening up of the law. None of it is done because of cource it would not catch they eye. On the other hand 'THE ROADS OF THE FUHRER'!'.
4th October 1936
An excerpt from 'I Shall Bear Witness -The Diaries of Victor Klemperer 1933-1941' first published in German in 1995, translated into English by Martin Chalmers 1998.
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