For the first time in its more than 70-year history, there is now a national speed limit on Germany’s infamous Autobahn. In a close vote, members of the nation’s Bundestag have imposed a 100kph (62mph) speed limit on all freeways. The new law went into effect just after the new year.

The move has spawned criticism, protests and even rioting throughout Germany. It has also created huge traffic jams and pileups in the nation of 80 million. Cities from Hamburg to Munich experienced gridlock on the normally free-flowing expressways. Thousands of multi-car accidents have occurred throughout the nation. No word yet on casualties. Polizei officers have written thousands of citations for violators - in areas where traffic congestion hasn’t already subdued the high-speed habits of the locals.

“This is not good,” said a motorist stranded on the A-31 Autobahn, near Kirchellen, in northwestern Germany. “We are unable to move. But those are the rules, and we Germans follow the rules!”

Others were not so understanding.

“Never mind Fahrvergnugen…we can’t even get fuckin’ movin!,” complained Otto Putzenheimer, member of the Dusseldorf Porsche Club. “Now I’m parking my car and taking the train. At least I can get some high-speed action on the rails!”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has issued pleas for calm, which have mostly fallen on deaf ears, as thousands rioted along autobahns around Berlin, Nuremberg and Munich. Angry mobs riding in Audis, BMWs and Porsches were seen throwing rocks and beer bottles at nearby stalled cars, while police in armored vans lobbed tear gas at the hooligans. Many cars suffered broken windows and dented fenders.

While there have always been speed limits imposed in urban areas and around construction zones, rural stretches of the Autobahn were traditionally a free-for-all, with no cap on speeds. The new national speed limit now makes the German Autobahn system one of the “slowest” in Europe, as neighboring countries allow speeds as high as 130kph (80mph) on their motorways.