I think you're absolutely right. It's been a while since I've been on the autobahn and I truly couldn't remember how much shoulder room, etc. was there.

I suspected that things might be a little more crowded over there but didn't want to imply that I knew about someone else's country.

That said, I agree that the little red bumper reflectors would never give any advanced warning -- I used them earlier as an (somewhat poor) attempt to make my point that we really don't need the triangles over here unless you're the type of person who really feels the need to have one.

 

I plan on bringing my triangle back from ED and will surely use it if I ever get stuck at the roadside. True, most here wouldn't use it, but it would add to safety, and if it helps me or my car survive someone not paying attention, it's worth it.

There is extensive use of 'flares' by trucks when they are on the roadside, and these are required, so the traingle isn't that much of a stretch, and it also outlasts any flare in duration....

 

I'm not too sure about the warning triangle. I mean, having to walk 100 metres back down the hard shoulder with traffic hurtling past to put down the triangle, is probably more dangerous than not having one!