Have you ever called 911 to report a drunk driver?

[dpodblood]

We have the road signs here as well to call 911 and report drunk drivers, however I called once for someone who was clearly impaired (swerving all over, going through stop signs etc) and they never dispatched anyone, or followed up.

 

[FerrelGeek]

Because that's a nuisance not an emergency. As far as the OP is concerned, yes I did call 911 to report a drunk driver once. The dispatcher connected me to the county sheriff where I reported the driver, location, license number and where they turned off. No idea if they were able to do anything, but they were very courteous.

I've called multiple times to report noise disturbances from my neighbors house and they acted like they didn't give a shit. Go figure

 

[OutHouse]

I find it's something that would be kinda hard to do while driving, and could put you at risk of getting charged for using a cell while driving.

da fuck?

 

[Zeze]

I did once. This guy was driving very erratically- swerving in and out of the double-yellow center line with no apparent reason.

I called, the operator was receptive and asked for the location, and thanked my time.

Nothing else came out of it.

I think that was the second time I dialed 911 in my life.

 

[Linux23]

Because that's a nuisance not an emergency. As far as the OP is concerned, yes I did call 911 to report a drunk driver once. The dispatcher connected me to the county sheriff where I reported the driver, location, license number and where they turned off. No idea if they were able to do anything, but they were very courteous.

I agree. It is a nuisance to call 911 for drunk driving. Loud music is just not acceptable when you're trying to get some rest and you have work in the morning. Total emergency.

 

[DrPizza]

At least twice recently, that I can recall. I was driving, my wife made the calls. On both occasions, we kept police updated with the driver's location. One woman was going over the knoll of hills in the opposite lane - if there had been an oncoming car, there would have been a head-on collision. This was on a curvy, hilly road - she was in the oncoming lane or shoulder more often than in her own lane. I maintained a safe distance, and followed the woman all the way to the road she lived on; gave a complete description of the driver from when I was able to get close - the dispatcher said that they knew who she was, and her address, and a trooper would be along shortly.

Just a few weeks ago, I saw someone almost take out the guard rail on the side of the Interstate nearby, and seem oblivious that they were over there on the shoulder - in this area, the edge of the road has those grooves cut in that make your car vibrate to let you know you've crossed the white line - wasn't just a case of texting, or the driver would have known - he was driving with his driver's side wheels going on and off the grooving. He took the next off ramp, and missed the stop sign. He stopped... completely across the lane of traffic on the next road. Again, fortunately no one was coming through what is generally a busy intersection. We followed him for 3 or 4 miles and they had my wife stay on the phone helping them keep track of where the vehicle was located. It was a college student.

 

[NetWareHead]

911 is the wrong number, it is for emergencies only. A drunk driver isn't an emergency (yet). Program the non-emergency police number into your phone instead.

Edit: Fine, if you don't like that, program the emergency police number into your phone. When the OP gets disinterested 911 dispatchers instead, call directly to the police rather than going through middlemen who are apathetic to your situation.

Whats the non-emergency police phone number? If you mean the local number, are you supposed to know the number for every town you are traveling through? 911 takes care of it all.

I also disagree on how a drunk driver is not an immediate threat and emergency. We have a driver who has demonstrated by swerving all over the place that he is not in control of his senses, driving impaired and dangeriously operating a vehicle. I'm not going to wait until he slams into somebody to decide that constitutes an emergency.

 

[dullard]

Whats the non-emergency police phone number? If you mean the local number, are you supposed to know the number for every town you are traveling through? 911 takes care of it all.

I've already answered that in this thread. Plus, I bet the vast majority of times you are driving in your local area. Call 911 if you don't know it or are travelling. But if 911 is not giving the situation priority, like the OP said, please tell me what is wrong with calling the police?

 

[NetWareHead]

I've already answered that in this thread. Plus, I bet the vast majority of times you are driving in your local area. Call 911 if you don't know it or are travelling. But if 911 is not giving the situation priority, like the OP said, please tell me what is wrong with calling the police?

Nothing is wrong with the local police. I'd assume either one should be the correct authority where to report the issue. Something in my head is rebelling against the thought of 911 or local cops not giving such a report serious attention though.

 

[dullard]

Nothing is wrong with the local police. I'd assume either one should be the correct authority where to report the issue. Something in my head is rebelling against the thought of 911 or local cops not giving such a report serious attention though.

The 911 operator may have had someone die on them 30 seconds before you called. They could be swamped with a major problem such as a large fire, but still have to keep answering the more minor calls. They have a stressful job and are often overworked.

I've always been told by multiple sources (news and talking directly to the police), to call directly to the police for issues like this when you can. Having the police number (local or highway patrol) preprogrammed in your phone can only be helpful.

 

[NetWareHead]

The 911 operator may have had someone die on them 30 seconds before you called. They could be swamped with a major problem such as a large fire, but still have to keep answering the more minor calls. They have a stressful job and are often overworked.

I've always been told by multiple sources (news and talking directly to the police), to call directly to the police for issues like this when you can. Having the police number (local or highway patrol) preprogrammed in your phone can only be helpful.

Your points are valid ones but could also be applied to a police dispatcher at the local station who may also be overworked or too busy. Regardless, police and 911 dispatchers have protocols in place for prioritizing calls and deciding which report generates an emergency response. I'm not going to assume they might be too busy for my phone call about a drunk driver. it would bother me too much to NOT call

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

The only time I ever called was in winter. Truck was all over the place. The 911 operator asked for the license plate number and I couldn't see it because the snow on his bumper covered up the license plate. She said there wasn't anything she could do which kinda shocked me. I assumed at that point that they would go to their residence and wait.

 

[master_shake_]

my mom did the other night as well as another guy.

they went to the station and gave a report and the cops arrested the drunk driver.

 

[clamum]

da fuck?

LOL, par for the course.

 

[Printer Bandit]

how do you know the driver is drunk? it could just be a guy getting an amazing blowjob from a female passenger.

 

[DigDog]

i called 911 once; in boston, college. a bunch of drunk idiots on a rooftop throwing empty beer bottles at people walking by. got hit too (wasn't hurt).

some random asian guy walking out of his apartment, i basically take him and say GO BACK IN NOW I NEED YOUR PHONE (this' before cellphones, yo), called 911 shaking like a leaf from the massive adrenaline rush.


i thank the guy and say sorry for being so rude, and i walk out. cops are already there.
i immediately realize i have an ounce of weed on me and instead of going to talk to them i walk by whistling like i'm Sgt Schultz - i know noootthinggg .. nothiiing!

 

[Howard]

Yes. Once.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

how do you know the driver is drunk? it could just be a guy getting an amazing blowjob from a female passenger.

Doesn't matter. If he's drunk he's got to be stopped for the good of society and if it's a killer blowjob it's got to be stopped out of sheer jealousy.