What was your closest call?

**SLKman** · 10-11-2006

Driving downtown Houston on a curve I happened to glance in my rear view mirror and notice a white van coming up behind me in the lane next to me real fast. As he approached, he was loosing traction and sliding into my lane. I changed lanes in just the nick of time as he slid past me and into my lane in front of me and onto the shoulder in front of me.

He saved it at the last moment.

I sped up to see if he was drunk but it turned out to be a bunch of day workers from Mexico all laughing, thinking it was funny. They were lucky to be alive but too stupid to realize it.

I should have got a plate number and reported them!

SLKman

Tell about your close calls.

Tslick · 10-11-2006

I ended up taking evasive maneuvers to avoid a head on collision on a two lane road. Approaching a blind curve, an arrogant bicyclist decided to pretend it was a car and a woman coming around the curve from the other direction had to swerve into my lane to avoid the bicyclist.

**Ynot** · 10-11-2006

I was in a bad part of Denver, I grew up there and know that the mexicans there never pay attention to the stops signs and red lights. I made it a habit to stop almost completely even if I'm not required to. I was driving my parents a couple of weeks ago and was talking about this subject. The light turned green but I waited a few seconds before going. As soon as I went, this pickup truck drove by, if I had went as the light turned green it would had been an accident and is this neighborhood, I doubt if he had insurance.

**etyu** · 10-11-2006

A 16-wheeler truck driver misjudged as he was changing lanes and may have thought I was behind his truck (even though the daylight running lamps are on) and started to move while I was abreast with his last 2 rear axles. I was glad the person used the turn indicators/blinkers but started to move after the first blink. Lucky I was able to slow down fast enough in the R171 and let him make his lane change. I didn't even have enough time to honk the horn.

I wonder if the small size of the R171 make the car look like it was further away to the rear. All I could do was shake my head and carry on as usual, thankful for the brakes on the R171.

Baron7700 · 10-12-2006

Three way T intersection with only one stop sign. A truck broke down in the middle, so I was going around it. Person Came down the other non stop sign direction driving twice the speed limit. (60), and flying around the truck, swerved left, downshifted and floored it, half a second before they broad sided me.

No offense to the 280, but it would off hit me if it wasnt the 350. Thank you jesus!

**etyu** · 10-12-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baron7700

Three way T intersection with only one stop sign. A truck broke down in the middle, so I was going around it. Person Came down the other non stop sign direction driving twice the speed limit. (60), and flying around the truck, swerved left, downshifted and floored it, half a second before they broad sided me.

No offense to the 280, but it would off hit me if it wasnt the 350. Thank you jesus!

You mean you got hit? How's the 350 now? All fixed? Sorry to hear.

bazzle · 10-12-2006

Cobbers, please use the Off Topic Threads above next time.. Ta

Bazzle

Moved Thanks

Tslick · 10-12-2006

cob·ber (kbr)
n. Australia.
A pal; a buddy.

I like it...

*easty* · 10-12-2006

It's funny I don't really think about close calls. I think it's because I'm used to riding motorbikes and they happen everyday. Just seem to expect them, act accordingly with little or no stress and carry on racing. An example was at weekend I was driving pretty fast down a slip road re-entering the freeway, I noticed a truck roll up fast to an adjoining road. so I slowed and watched the wheels on his vehicle they didn't come to a stop, just slowed then off he went. I think thats a good sign of there intentions, watch the wheels. he went, I was easily speeding, but new I had know problem stopping. then he looked left and spotted me and frooze and then stopped.. which is a stupid thing but a lot of people do it. I was propably doing 70. when I first noticed I must have subconsciously slowed to 50 as he pulled out I slowed to 20 so by time he blocked the complete road I had no problem stopping. He recomposed himself and set off without a hand in the air of apology.

I honestly think riding a motorbike for maybe just 6 months, if that act itself doesn't kill too many people. it would certainly teach a dumpster load of road knowledge. it's just so easy to have a complete lack of attention when driving in a car at the speed limit.

Baron7700 · 10-12-2006

No no I didnt get hit! But he must of missed me by about 2 or 3 inches, if I hadnt of moved forward he would of broad sided me.

FPF422 · 10-13-2006

If by "clause calls", you mean accidents that could have been, I tend to forget them. I only remember the crashes that happened...

A good 20 years ago, I had a BMW 320i 2 doors. On a saturday night, I was on my way to a birthday party. To get there, I had to take "la petite ceinture" which is a circular boulevard around the historical centrum of Brussels. The two inner lanes, in each direction ways are the most of the time separated from the outer one. It has also many tunnels for the 2 inside lanes.

So, I was cruising at about 75 km/h on the inside lane, passing an other car on the second lane. The nose of my car was a the height of the drivers door. All I know is that it was a small 2 door red car... and all Hell broke loose...

Suddenly, I saw my right corner aiming for that little car's door , as redirected by a mysterious force, while a spray of broken glass was showering me from my far right. I saw the car's nose hitting the little car's door and the surprised look of the woman driver.

A 6 month old Renault 25 a just hit me. Stolen car going much two fast while trying to make it to the faster lanes. It was just on my right rear wheel and that hit alone totalled the Renault.

Then sliding sideways, I felt my back hitting the separation between the 2 ways and my rims bitting on the road. Started to roll. I only remember the first one because I was rendered unconscious when the car landed.

The police told me that I rolled twice (the road was going down in one of those tunnels). Landed on my roof, but that an other car which was speeding too couldn't avoid me, hit me and put me back on my wheels.

Results: Concussion, Broken nose, Broken neck (C5), Various bruises. A 18 months BMW totalled.

The only thing that was intact in the car is a bottle of champagne which was jammed under the passenger seat (coming from the left back seat)

I had others...

**DesignoSLK** · 10-15-2006

I haven't had any close calls in the SLK...knock on wood, but I DID have one in the Ford Ranger I replaced the SLK with. I'm normally a pretty conscientious driver, but it was raining and I happened to not be paying attention.

I was cruising along at about 35 mph when I came upon the traffic ahead of me stopped and the car in front of me was rapidly approaching. I slammed on the brakes, swerved left (I was in the far left lane with a fairly wide concrete median to MY left.) and went up and onto the median stopping right next to the guy in the car I just about plowed into. He was driving a small compact car and my Ranger was a 4x4 with slightly oversized tires so it sat pretty aggressively. I'm sure all that guy saw was a chrome bumper and grill heading right for him and he had no where to go. I took the 8" curb like a walk in the park. I rolled down my window as did he and told him I was sorry for scaring the crap out of him, he was white as a ghost.

I felt terrible because I bad mouth people all the time for not paying attention.

10-11-2006	#1 (permalink)
SLKman Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Houston Texas Vehicle: 2000 Copper Designo Sport Posts: 1,063 Country: Thanks: 261 Thanked 73 Times in 35 Posts	What was your closest call? Driving downtown Houston on a curve I happened to glance in my rear view mirror and notice a white van coming up behind me in the lane next to me real fast. As he approached, he was loosing traction and sliding into my lane. I changed lanes in just the nick of time as he slid past me and into my lane in front of me and onto the shoulder in front of me. He saved it at the last moment. I sped up to see if he was drunk but it turned out to be a bunch of day workers from Mexico all laughing, thinking it was funny. They were lucky to be alive but too stupid to realize it. I should have got a plate number and reported them! SLKman Tell about your close calls.

10-11-2006	#3 (permalink)
Ynot Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Colorado Vehicle: 06' MBZ SLK Posts: 2,791 Country: Thanks: 135 Thanked 35 Times in 30 Posts	I was in a bad part of Denver, I grew up there and know that the mexicans there never pay attention to the stops signs and red lights. I made it a habit to stop almost completely even if I'm not required to. I was driving my parents a couple of weeks ago and was talking about this subject. The light turned green but I waited a few seconds before going. As soon as I went, this pickup truck drove by, if I had went as the light turned green it would had been an accident and is this neighborhood, I doubt if he had insurance. __________________ 06' SLK 350, Iridium/Ash all pkgs. 6-spd, 19" DCR. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

10-11-2006	#4 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 5,279 Country: Thanks: 376 Thanked 277 Times in 168 Posts	A 16-wheeler truck driver misjudged as he was changing lanes and may have thought I was behind his truck (even though the daylight running lamps are on) and started to move while I was abreast with his last 2 rear axles. I was glad the person used the turn indicators/blinkers but started to move after the first blink. Lucky I was able to slow down fast enough in the R171 and let him make his lane change. I didn't even have enough time to honk the horn. I wonder if the small size of the R171 make the car look like it was further away to the rear. All I could do was shake my head and carry on as usual, thankful for the brakes on the R171. __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, *Mod. R170 ant.*, EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, bilateral rear fog lamps enabled.

10-12-2006	#9 (permalink)
easty Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Montreal Vehicle: ///AMG Posts: 2,075 Country: Thanks: 17 Thanked 19 Times in 9 Posts	It's funny I don't really think about close calls. I think it's because I'm used to riding motorbikes and they happen everyday. Just seem to expect them, act accordingly with little or no stress and carry on racing. An example was at weekend I was driving pretty fast down a slip road re-entering the freeway, I noticed a truck roll up fast to an adjoining road. so I slowed and watched the wheels on his vehicle they didn't come to a stop, just slowed then off he went. I think thats a good sign of there intentions, watch the wheels. he went, I was easily speeding, but new I had know problem stopping. then he looked left and spotted me and frooze and then stopped.. which is a stupid thing but a lot of people do it. I was propably doing 70. when I first noticed I must have subconsciously slowed to 50 as he pulled out I slowed to 20 so by time he blocked the complete road I had no problem stopping. He recomposed himself and set off without a hand in the air of apology. I honestly think riding a motorbike for maybe just 6 months, if that act itself doesn't kill too many people. it would certainly teach a dumpster load of road knowledge. it's just so easy to have a complete lack of attention when driving in a car at the speed limit. __________________ "I'm not a roman mum, I'm a kike, a yid, a heebie, a hook-nose, I'm kosher mum, I'm a Red Sea pedestrian, and proud of it!" Life of Brian To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

10-13-2006	#11 (permalink)
FPF422 Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Buizingen - Belgium Vehicle: '05 SLK 350 - 7G Posts: 852 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If by "clause calls", you mean accidents that could have been, I tend to forget them. I only remember the crashes that happened... A good 20 years ago, I had a BMW 320i 2 doors. On a saturday night, I was on my way to a birthday party. To get there, I had to take "la petite ceinture" which is a circular boulevard around the historical centrum of Brussels. The two inner lanes, in each direction ways are the most of the time separated from the outer one. It has also many tunnels for the 2 inside lanes. So, I was cruising at about 75 km/h on the inside lane, passing an other car on the second lane. The nose of my car was a the height of the drivers door. All I know is that it was a small 2 door red car... and all Hell broke loose... Suddenly, I saw my right corner aiming for that little car's door , as redirected by a mysterious force, while a spray of broken glass was showering me from my far right. I saw the car's nose hitting the little car's door and the surprised look of the woman driver. A 6 month old Renault 25 a just hit me. Stolen car going much two fast while trying to make it to the faster lanes. It was just on my right rear wheel and that hit alone totalled the Renault. Then sliding sideways, I felt my back hitting the separation between the 2 ways and my rims bitting on the road. Started to roll. I only remember the first one because I was rendered unconscious when the car landed. The police told me that I rolled twice (the road was going down in one of those tunnels). Landed on my roof, but that an other car which was speeding too couldn't avoid me, hit me and put me back on my wheels. Results: Concussion, Broken nose, Broken neck (C5), Various bruises. A 18 months BMW totalled. The only thing that was intact in the car is a bottle of champagne which was jammed under the passenger seat (coming from the left back seat) I had others... Last edited by FPF422; 10-13-2006 at 05:19 AM.

10-11-2006	#2 (permalink)
Tslick Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Long Beach, Ca Vehicle: SLK32 AMG Posts: 1,326 Country: Thanks: 74 Thanked 56 Times in 29 Posts	I ended up taking evasive maneuvers to avoid a head on collision on a two lane road. Approaching a blind curve, an arrogant bicyclist decided to pretend it was a car and a woman coming around the curve from the other direction had to swerve into my lane to avoid the bicyclist.

10-12-2006	#5 (permalink)
Baron7700 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pennyslvania Vehicle: 2006 Slk 350 Other Toys: Lots of ATV's Posts: 1,599 Country: Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Three way T intersection with only one stop sign. A truck broke down in the middle, so I was going around it. Person Came down the other non stop sign direction driving twice the speed limit. (60), and flying around the truck, swerved left, downshifted and floored it, half a second before they broad sided me. No offense to the 280, but it would off hit me if it wasnt the 350. Thank you jesus!

10-12-2006	#7 (permalink)
bazzle Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Melbourne Australia Vehicle: slk230 1998 Other Toys: Mercedes A Class W169, A 200 E Sport, (Cazzles) Posts: 211 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Cobbers, please use the Off Topic Threads above next time.. Ta Bazzle Moved Thanks

10-12-2006	#8 (permalink)
Tslick Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Long Beach, Ca Vehicle: SLK32 AMG Posts: 1,326 Country: Thanks: 74 Thanked 56 Times in 29 Posts	cob·ber (kbr) n. Australia. A pal; a buddy. I like it...

10-12-2006	#10 (permalink)
Baron7700 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pennyslvania Vehicle: 2006 Slk 350 Other Toys: Lots of ATV's Posts: 1,599 Country: Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	No no I didnt get hit! But he must of missed me by about 2 or 3 inches, if I hadnt of moved forward he would of broad sided me.

10-15-2006	#12 (permalink)
DesignoSLK Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kaiserslautern, Germany Vehicle: 2000 Designo SLK230 Posts: 1,678 Country: Thanks: 91 Thanked 20 Times in 15 Posts	I haven't had any close calls in the SLK...knock on wood, but I DID have one in the Ford Ranger I replaced the SLK with. I'm normally a pretty conscientious driver, but it was raining and I happened to not be paying attention. I was cruising along at about 35 mph when I came upon the traffic ahead of me stopped and the car in front of me was rapidly approaching. I slammed on the brakes, swerved left (I was in the far left lane with a fairly wide concrete median to MY left.) and went up and onto the median stopping right next to the guy in the car I just about plowed into. He was driving a small compact car and my Ranger was a 4x4 with slightly oversized tires so it sat pretty aggressively. I'm sure all that guy saw was a chrome bumper and grill heading right for him and he had no where to go. I took the 8" curb like a walk in the park. I rolled down my window as did he and told him I was sorry for scaring the crap out of him, he was white as a ghost. I felt terrible because I bad mouth people all the time for not paying attention. __________________ Kevin An American in Germany... To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. '00 SLK230 Designo copper, '06 Saturn Vue, Cessna 172 (pilot)

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