Speed is the big killer.
HNY
Sorry to disagree, but having spent 14 plus years in Germany driving a variety of cars (BMW, Mercedes, Mustang GT and etc...) and bikes (Kawasaki 750 and 6R plus a Harley) on the Autobahn, it's not speed that kills, its a combination of things. Too many varying speeds on the same stretch of road, drivers not knowing the lane rules, and unsafe speeds which is a very different thing than too much speed. On a clear dry day without summer vacation traffic, 130 + is not unreasonable with drivers who obey the laws, are competent (much better drivers on average over there due to their regulations on acquiring a license), and well designed and maintained vehicles.
Where the Germans tend to get in trouble is when they decide to go bumper to bumper in the fog at 130. That's the time we'd hit the back roads. It's not the speed itself, its the unwise application of that speed in less than ideal situations. The auslanders (thats us) get in trouble because we are not used to driving that fast, have no respect for the left only to pass law, and are determined to drive the cheapest hoopty that will pass the German's much more stringent inspections.
Many friends from Germany have told me our highways are perfect for much greater speeds than those posted (the ones maintained, anyway). After spending so much time over there I agree, but since we Americans are bound and determined to drive however and in whichever lane we want and to hell with anyone (everyone) else, I'll grudgingly drive the limit in order to avoid becoming a statistic and having the report state "unsafe speed" as cause of accident when in truth the cause is "stupid, unskilled, stubborn drivers of $#!++y cars".
My 2 cents.