Just wondering, backroad safety tips... - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Fulcrum525 · #31 02-04-2011, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junkman

..... A key indicator is rabbits. If you hit them ever, you're driving too fast for the critters who try to stay out of the way.......

Why do I find myself laughing at the concept of hitting rabbits as an indicator of how much one should slow down

hockeyboysomers · #32 02-04-2011, 06:46 PM

Buy a pick up. I hit three deer in 2010. One, I did everything I could to avoid and still maintain control. I didn't matter, hit it anyway. Dented passenger and back door. The other 2 I hit together. They simply walked right in front of my truck, as if I wasn't there at all. This time all I ended up with was some deer hair on the front bumper and grill. Both times I was able to slow to around 20 to 30 MPH. I'm sure my Mercedes 240D front end would have been crushed when I hit the 2 deer. An elk or moose would have been a different story, but I'd still rather hit them with a truck. Otherwise I would drive very slowly as one other poster said.

babymog · #33 02-04-2011, 07:09 PM

Avoid a deer, funny.

Not that I believe a lot of insurance institute statistics, but they've shown many times that the most dangerous thing is to try avoiding a deer, and that most injuries and fatalities involve hitting another vehicle, culvert, tree, immobile object of your choice trying to avoid hitting a deer.

You likely won't see it in time anyway, but if you do just brake and stay in your lane.

SirNik84 · #34 02-04-2011, 07:39 PM

As Jeremy said about the old diesels they will run with out power. I drive a remote road for about 40 or so miles every time I go see my dad. the only problem i've ever had was when the alt took a poop. all the lights were gone, but the car still ran. luckily it was a full moon and I drove at a jogging pace for the last 10 miles with my head out the window til i got to cell service and got a ride.

pwjeep · #35 02-04-2011, 08:16 PM

Deer and other related animals up to Elk and Moose are single minded. They all like to step on stage (the road) and stand there to audition for you and your car. They especially like being on stage in the lights where they bat their lashes and dare you to keep coming... It's the ultimate game of "chicken".

A Northern Wisconsin Deputy Sheriff said... don't swerve to avoid them... a tree will kill you that way.

As far as the plastic deer whistles go... they are like fancy fishing lures... they catch more buyers than actually doing any good. Great for making some company some money... lousy for doing any good.

Junkman · #36 02-04-2011, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fulcrum525

Why do I find myself laughing at the concept of hitting rabbits as an indicator of how much one should slow down

I had moved rural TN. I decided that I wasn't going to keep fixing my truck. Slowinsg down enough to miss the large critters was enough to miss the small ones also. Wife still thinks I'm too fast but I haven't even hit a possum in years. Perhaps because there are fewer critters around these days. I still see road kiss so someone is hitting them.

Jeremy5848 · #37 02-04-2011, 11:05 PM

Somewhere I read that the animal most dangerous to humans is the deer.

#38 02-04-2011, 11:08 PM

I came very close to hitting a big one in rural SC a couple years ago; narrow road with no place to go, it didn't move until I came to a complete stop a few feet from it.

winmutt · #39 02-04-2011, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

Avoid a deer, funny.

Not that I believe a lot of insurance institute statistics, but they've shown many times that the most dangerous thing is to try avoiding a deer, and that most injuries and fatalities involve hitting another vehicle, culvert, tree, immobile object of your choice trying to avoid hitting a deer.

You likely won't see it in time anyway, but if you do just brake and stay in your lane.

I told the officer the pole jumped out at me!

If I can recommend anything it is certainly getting E code lights. The wide beams really fill in the sides. It wont help with the suicidal deer but they look nice, dont cost thaaaaat much and with the right light bulbs its like landing an airplane.

There are a number of videos of guys up in the mtns here on bikes and having deer jump over them.

psaboic · #40 02-05-2011, 01:06 AM

I've been contemplating E-codes. SO, if I were to dive into the water on this, where would be an affordable place to buy them from, and what size bulbs would you recommend? I'm assuming I would have to go with a relay for bulbs stronger than stock

thebern · #41 02-05-2011, 01:53 AM

'hit one deer one hit me' I did get lucky and deer things are lucky or unlucky. It doesn't matter what you drive, they can't tell a Smart Car from a Hummer. My drive is 30 miles and 20 of it is 'spooky old woods alone' with water on both sides for 5 miles. Poop happens!

winmutt · #42 02-05-2011, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psaboic

I've been contemplating E-codes. SO, if I were to dive into the water on this, where would be an affordable place to buy them from, and what size bulbs would you recommend? I'm assuming I would have to go with a relay for bulbs stronger than stock

Just shop around for a good used set. Ebay.de is not a bad place. Schienwurfer IIRC. Just keep it stock, the difference is night and day. The wide band replacements where the fogs are on the federals really help.

This is a pretty good comparison of fed vs ecode and this is without the widebands.

babymog · #43 02-05-2011, 12:37 PM

I saw 7 last night, within a mile of my house. Missed one by less than a foot, the others were standing in the road when I came around corners and I just slowed down and waited.

This is the luxury of the 30mph commute.

After the kids went to bed, we watched a few more wandering out on the lake.

A wonderful animal to watch when they're not embedded into your grille.

Fulcrum525 · #44 02-05-2011, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirNik84

As Jeremy said about the old diesels they will run with out power. I drive a remote road for about 40 or so miles every time I go see my dad. the only problem i've ever had was when the alt took a poop. all the lights were gone, but the car still ran. luckily it was a full moon and I drove at a jogging pace for the last 10 miles with my head out the window til i got to cell service and got a ride.

Yes I made the mistake once of freaking out and turning my engine off when my voltage regulator went

Now I know better.

Jeremy5848 · #45 02-05-2011, 05:41 PM

I was able to get a set of Hella-made Euro lights for my 124. The light pattern is much better and the fogs, with clear bulbs rather than yellow, illuminate the side of the road. The fogs also make good daytime running lights.