Ok, fellow "Beast Freaks": here is the challenge: let's discuss driving ethics in such an incredible car. I have already received some feedback on a few points, and thought it would be good to devote an entire thread to this topic.

I am new to the Beast (one month). I drove an E500 previously and never thought another car could make that one feel like a toy.

Here are my ethics-topics; would appreciate your feedback on these, or your creating your own topic

1. right turn only lane at stoplight; no intention of turning right; only intention is launching ahead straight at the green light; the other "straight-goers" don't lose any position; I just jump way ahead of 'em; no loss to them; big gain to me, BUT perhaps some hurt feelings; oh, and there were no other "right turners" waiting for me at the light;

Thoughts?

2. 110 mph on highway; not crowded; feels like 60mph in most cars; other cars scowl at me as I pass; but truly no bad traffic; no bad weather, thus no real danger

Thoughts?

3. I NEVER speed in a residential zone;

4. I NEVER speed in a school zone;


5. lane closing, way up ahead; I see gaps way up ahead; instead of queing up behind everyone, I casually and almost stealth-like cruise up and fill in one of the gaps close to the merge-end. My fellow citizens may be pissed, but I simply filled a void; no loss to them, other than ego

Thoughts?


Thanks guys. I am grateful to be able to enjoy such a machine.

 

Sooner or later a cop is going to spot you driving like that. If he catches you doing 110mph, you are going to jail.

The other drivers look at you like that because they are grossly ignorant of the supreme performance capabilities of the E55. Tying back to the beginning, one of them may call the cops.

 

Based on your new driving style, I assume this is your first vehicle that you'd consider fast. Be careful. Although the E55 is very benign in most driving conditions, physics are a *****



Stupid. You're focused on the light and getting ahead of the guy next to you. There could be someone else pushing the light coming from another direction, a left turner anticipating the light or a pedestrian obscured by traffic that is trying to scramble across the intersection before your light goes green. Additionally, you're provoking the guy next to you to attempt to match your acceleration or retaliate by moving into your lane or worse when he catches you.




Don't pass cars with such a huge speed differential. You can't predict their actions and you can not react as quickly as you think you can. I regularly go 100+ in my vehicles, but I do not pass cars at those speeds.



Back to the speed differential. In those situations, you have people who like to police the lane that's ending by edging over on you. You're focusing on that gap in traffic and the dude in the Excursion decides you shouldn't get in front of him - he swings over into your lane while you're heavy on the loud pedal. Bad things happen.

 

Right turn only topic: I rarely do this 'cause I'm never sure if someone will creep up behind me, thus tying him down. The times that i have done this i was only in EXTREME rushes. I was very careful and minded ALL my surroundings so I wouldn't be sorry for trying it.

110 on the freeway topic: I do this quite often. Like Wayne E said however I NEVER do it when there are cars in the very next lane; not sure if the chump decides to cut me off at the last minute.

Lane merger at the last minute topic: I do this too. Quite often actually. In H-town people don't usually try the "police-the lane" junk. I've only seen very few semis attempt this.

IMO as long as you're CAUTIOUS about these driving styles its all good. Be careful to not make a habit of it though 'cause you just never know

Be safe

 

1. Don't think I've ever tried that one, but I will make the right turn, do a U-turn and make another right turn if I'm in a big hurry at a known long light.

2. Yes, way over 110 if no traffic, but I always slow down when approaching other traffic and almost never overtake at more than 15-20 over the other car's speed for reasons already mentioned. Another reason for slowing down when overtaking other traffic is that on the rare occasion, there could be an unmarked officer plodding along in the right lane with the other cars (ask me how I know this one).

3. No

4. No

5. Always, I hate getting stuck behind "Sunday" drivers in those zones.

 

i think all of it is pretty childish i would like to know your age?
your not doin nuttin to crazy but you are puttin others at a risk.
the only one i dont like is number 5 where you think you are filling a gap, thats not a gap thats my braking distance if something goes wrong ahead of me. so by you pullin in to it i now have to change for you.
would you fill the gap in a line at a deparment store?

all in all just becarefull and think of others just a bit sometimes!

 

Sell your E55 comes to mind.

 

 

I bet you're glad you shared your thoughts.

I've found that posting girls with big melons next to your E55 is the best way to make MBWorld friends.

 

Rock your killing me...

1. Just be careful at 110mph...even if you have benign traffic you never know if a the car ahead of you doesn't notice you and decides to switch to your lane. I won't say don't do it because I've been there...be careful and definitely drive with your lights on at that speed...wouldn't hurt to blink your high beams on when you are passing either.

I am a late convert to racing or high speed driving at the track or quarter mile drag...

2. As stated before...launching of the right lane can be iffy. You never know if some schmuck decides to run a red light and tbone you.

Be careful and hit the track for your speed jones...

 

Kris,

I've been reading this forum for awhile and your post has prompted me to comment.

If you feel you must ask these questions about driving ethics, I think you should park your E in the garage for two weeks. After two weeks have passed, sell the car and quit driving altogether.

 

Kris,
You sound like a 17 year old, with a need to be noticed.

Now pray I don't notice you.

 

+1

 

I have a very simple rule regarding ethics questions.

If you need to ask, it probably isn't ethical.

In all cases, I support the people that have posted about the unpredictability of other drivers on the roads.

In any scenario, higher speeds mean more energetic collisions. High speed, fast lane collisions cans eject vehicles into oncoming traffic, potentially killing innocent people. Same with gunning from lights (people running reds is common, not unusual here)... same with just about every scenario you listed. Even in single car collisions, understand that the energy in the collision increases with velocity squared.

Each of these practices will put innocent people at an increased risk of injury/death.

Please don't turn your car into a weapon with these practices.

If you want to race, go to a track. If not a track, at least keep it to runs on an UNPOPULATED onramp, freeway, turnpike, country road, etc - somewhere you have great visibility and no risk on innocents entering your path. If you want to race somebody, make sure that you and your competitor are the only ones that can come to harm. The other drivers on the road didn't sign up to be your victims. Don't ever do this crap on city streets, at any time - I appreciate that you don't speed in the city/neighborhoods. There's too many streets/driveways for an unsuspecting victim too pull out in front of you.

Remember, the other drivers on the road may not have your driving skill/training and probably don't have a vehicle that can handle a dynamic situation as well as yours. Finally, they are probably assuming that you are driving at a sane speed when they see you in their mirror as you prepare to blow by them. They may not be 'policing' your lane or intending to cut you off. They may simply be unaware of the rate you are closing on them.

Listen... I'm no saint - I love an empty straightaway as much as anybody. Just understand that owning a speed machine isn't a license to drive fast all the time. It just makes you capable of driving fast when the appropriate situation is available.

Be safe. Have fun, but not at the cost of others' safety.

 

Enjoy the beast.

Don't become one..

Driving like that give everyone esle with pleasurable toys a bad name.


Drvie carefully

 

+1

 

1. right turn only lane at stoplight:
Use with extreme discretion. I do this in one of two or three situations.
1) the guy in front of the line shows clear indicia of being a spaced-out, four-seconds plus response time, twenty-in-a-thirty-zone driver. Yes, I can tell. Come to Berkeley, California, I'll point them out to you. They usually drive cars like a 1981 Toyota Station wagon (brown, faded paint), or an incredibly poorly kept underpowered Volvo. In addition to, I also need
2) to be in a rush. More than "I want to get home" rush, something unusual. and
3) it has to be a critical intersection, where being behind driver 1 will keep me behind him for miles, with no future opportunity to pass. Sometimes I'll make an exception, but no more than once or twice a month, and only then when the situation is clear, no cross traffic (like late @ night with clear visibility in all directions, etc. Pisses people off, but I get pissed when spaced-out, unfocused drivers need a five-one-thousand before inching through the light.

2. 110 mph on highway:
Please. In an E55?! Do you people REALLY trip off of a 110 cruise, if you aren't weaving through traffic? Make no mistake, I see people doing 110 in the wrong situation all the times and it makes me shudder in fear. But 110 on an open stretch, in an E with PS2's on the corners? Nothing to discuss here, move along...

3. I NEVER speed in a residential zone;
Well, I wish I were as infallible as you, Ghandi. I will find myself @ 35 in a 25 if it is a double-lane, divided road that ought to have a 45 speed limit in the first place. A narrow residential street with people present? Speed limit or less! But to say you NEVER speed in a residential zone? Come on now... In an E55? Never? Let he who is without sin...

4. I NEVER speed in a school zone;
Again, generally yes. But at 1:45, two blocks away from the school, on a wide boulevard, 25 is crazy. Discretion people. An extra 5 or 10, if you are alert, is no big deal. Depends on the situation, though, like everything else. But NEVER? Please.

5. lane closing, way up ahead;
Depends on the gap. If you are cutting into someone's breaking room, don't do it. If you are getting in front of a SLUG driving 45 on the open road, and there is a huge honking gap that is growing in front of him, hit it! That's what torque is made for.

Flame away, I think alertness and knowing WHEN to obey every rule and when you can get away with a heavy foot are big factors. I can't believe the rancor in these responses. I don't buy it either. I'm sure most of us drive our cars a bit faster than those around us. And I'm also quite firm in my belief that a skilled driver, in an E55, SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT to drive a bit faster than the spaced out uncoordinated non-enthusiast driver in a 1966 VW Van.

Gracefully slipping around slow, spaced-out drivers in a safe and judicious manner is nothing to be ashamed of. Don't be a fool about it, don't think you are superman, and BE ALERT. Drive like they drive in Germany or Italy: you are in your car to DRIVE, NOT to talk, mess with the radio, etc. Constantly look for gaps in traffic, escape routes in adjacent lanes, unfocused drivers ahead and behind. Know who is in your blind spots, who is showing what tendencies. Use cars with light paint to see around bends and corners, using them like mirrors in the day and to spot oncoming headlights at night... All tricks that enable a hyper-vigilant driver to move a bit faster than the pack in safety.

Flame all you want, I can't stand being in the middle of a pack of lazy, non-signaling drivers. When safe, I'll move ahead and find an open stretch of road every time. Be ever alert and don't get carried away, but enjoy your E!

Skeeter

 

Though I agree mostly w/ what you say, I would wager that most of the drivers on this board (and most AMG owners) don't qualify as "skilled" drivers...they just happen to have purchased very powerful cars that do most of the work for them. Perhaps some are better than average due to actually giving a *****, but I wouldn't assume any more than that

 

I have no problem with people driving faster than others when conditions are permiting, But I also would like to reserve the right to beat the crap out of the fool that causes an accident, because he or she thinks that they are Mario Andretti cut few cars off just to be 3-4 cars ahead in traffic.
The area that I commute most often is loaded with morons that just can't handle this phenominon of alternate merging into one lane.
If your driving style is such that doesnt impede other's safety go for it.
I prefer to have a moron far away from me, if it requires me to accelerate or decelerate (conditions permiting) so be it.

 

wow; lighten up, Sally Janes:

My posting was tongue in cheek, and I guess I assumed you would catch on and have fun with it. Clearly I've hit on some emotional/psychological inferiority baggage that caused you to dump your "holier than thou" bombs upon me. But I ain't buying it. With exception of anyone here in the military/law enforcement, I promise I have forgotten more about real life scary and/or ugly situations than you will ever know.

Oh, and regarding age and maturity: well said by the goon with the hooters image as a part of his signature. Excellent image: did you cop that from a high school kid in the computer club in exchange for buying him some Schlitz?

Lighten up, people. Perhaps you should get off your fat assess and ....oh, I don't know....get a little exercise maybe?

Hilarious: clone on clone violence.

 

Well said Rock. Just what I expected. You 'da man, Rock.

 

LoL....thought I agree that everyone needs some exercise, you have to admit that you brought these responses on yourself. If you were kidding, it was not apparent.....maybe things got "lost in translation" so to speak.

 

i agree but he wasnt kidding, that was his way out!

as far as exersize goes im sure i dont need any more of that.

 

1) Green light, yellow light, red light...whatever, just pin it

2) 110mph? WTF, my grandma cruises at a buck thirty

3) Why not?

4) I use the school parking lot as my personal drag strip

5) Why cruise up and merge? I find it much easier to put the pedal to the metal, hit the hazards, and honk the horn. Usually everyone moves out of the way.

Follow my ettiquette on driving and you'll go far my friend

 

I just read through this with mostly humor. What seems a little bit hypocritical are the stories I read here frequently about road races on crowded streets for the sake of a "kill" and those that write back and say "nice kill". I also watch videos with E55 drivers on streets and highways racing other vehicles at incredible speeds well in excess of 110. I also read about people that race from a roll from say 30 to 140. I also see people interested in removing the speed limiter. The various driving habits of Kris Keeney do pale in comparison. Kris does have a way of raising the hair on the back of your head but hey it’s no big deal. We should all take things like this in a somewhat “lighter” frame of mind (whenever possible) and hope that Rock continues with his “one-liners”.