Most Germans would support speed limits on the country's Autobahn, ending the country's longstanding refusal to impose restrictions on motorways.

A new survey by polling company YouGov shows 56 per cent of the nation's public back a limit of 150km per hour (93 mph).

But they put their foot down when the suggested speed limit decreased, with only 40 per cent supporting a speed limit of 130kmph - the same as is currently in force on French motorways.

Just 11 per cent would support a speed limit comparable to Britain's own 70mph motorway limit.

Speed limits have been controversial topic for years in Germany.

A 2013 proposal by politician Sigmar Gabriel, the chairman of the Social Democrat Party (SPD), for a 120kmph speed limit on Germany motorways was strongly opposed by other politicians.

Speed limits are commonly thought to reduce traffic deaths, but the real impact on safety is disputed by German motorists' organisation ADAC.

"In our opinion, we don't think [imposing speed limits] would be safer," news website The Local quoted ADAC spokesman Andreas Hölzel as saying.

"If you look at international comparisons, Germany - with no generalised speed limit - performs just as well on safety."

According to data from the OECD's International Transport Forum, Germany saw 3,339 deaths from road accidents in 2013, higher than the 1,770 recorded in the UK.

But the figure is comparable to France's 3,268 deaths from road accidents, and far below than the more than 30,000 recorded in the US. Both countries have motorway speed limits.

While there are speed limits on sections of the German motorway system, on about 60% of the autobahn network drivers can, in theory at least, go as fast as they like.