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Possible drunk driver, called it in, comments? *Update*

alkalinetaupehat

alkalinetaupehat

Senior member
So tonight my friend and I drove to Mickey D's for some fries before they closed (wonderful gaming food). On the way back though, the car in front of us took a good 20 seconds to start moving once the light turned green. It went downhill from there.

The man driving it was weaving in and out, occupying the left turn lane and then the shoulder, once narrowly missing a vehicle in the left turn lane. He was traveling between 5-10+ over the speed limit and had a fairly rhythmic sway between lanes and curb. I got only close enough to make out the license plate (~2 car lengths) and then slowed down and turned off. I looked up Central Dispatch and called it in, though I haven't done that before. Just checking my sanity, that was the right thing to do, correct?

P.S. Your input is appreciated, jlee.

UPDATE: While relaying this story to my friend, I found out that indeed the police not only pulled over the driver, but in an attempt to get out of a DUI the driver busted the party he was at, which (of course) had numerous minors there. They all played that they were sleeping when the cops came in, including my friend. It's a small world after all.
 
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Like I said, more a sanity check than anything. The person at Dispatch sounded annoyed with me. I had everything ready and spoke clearly, she could just be mad that it's late on a Sunday.
 
alkalinetaupehat said:
Like I said, more a sanity check than anything. The person at Dispatch sounded annoyed with me. I had everything ready and spoke clearly, she could just be mad that it's late on a Sunday.
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Here in Los Angeles on weekends on freeways, there are digital signs that tell you if you see a drunk driver to call 911.
 
Yep, good call. If you have a direct number for the local dispatch center, that works - if not, 911 is entirely appropriate as well.

I actually heard the neighboring city get a call for a possible DUI on the interstate - sure enough, they had a DUI arrest a few minutes later.
 
Always call. I've called in a few crazy drivers too. I could never just sit and watch. What if you found out later that the driver killed someone. That would be a lot of regret to handle right there.
 
Good thread! I'v always wondered if calling 911 is appropriate since I don't / can't have all the numbers for all the local police stations
 
been in this situation several times, always called except one time I was out of cell coverage. I saw officers at the local convenience store, pulled in and told them about the drunk driver. It was a very small town and the response brought forth visions of Mayberry RFD and Barney Fife. They collectively spilled whatever they were drinking in their haste to get after the guy.
 
I called once when an old lady was terrorizing traffic on a state highway. She would slow down to 40 mph then slam the accelerator (easily exceeding 120 mph considering how fast she would get out of sight), rinse, repeat. I didn't know what to do - I was scared to pass her but I didn't want to ride behind her at 40 mph or less very long either. Eventually she accelerated out of sight and I didn't see her again until I got to the end of the highway and she was pulled over by a cop at a local gas station.

I don't know if she was drunk but she definitely had no business behind the wheel.
 
SearchMaster said:
I called once when an old lady was terrorizing traffic on a state highway. She would slow down to 40 mph then slam the accelerator (easily exceeding 120 mph considering how fast she would get out of sight), rinse, repeat. I didn't know what to do - I was scared to pass her but I didn't want to ride behind her at 40 mph or less very long either. Eventually she accelerated out of sight and I didn't see her again until I got to the end of the highway and she was pulled over by a cop at a local gas station.

I don't know if she was drunk but she definitely had no business behind the wheel.
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World's fastest old female driver.
 
Good for you.
BUT, depending on where you live, the cops may or may not give a shit. They may send someone to that particular road to chase the person down, or they may just ignore it.

Cops in my town let all kinds of shit slide, including reports of DUI's. Unless they it personally, right in front of them, they arent worried.
 
alfa147x said:
Good thread! I'v always wondered if calling 911 is appropriate since I don't / can't have all the numbers for all the local police stations
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It probably depends on area, but I was told is that if you need an officer to respond you should call 911. Including something as silly as a police report.
When I was in school someone stole my bike and I needed a report for the insurance. I called the local police station and they told me to call 911. Maybe they were just brushing me off, but I felt so dumb calling 911...

"911 what is your emergency?"
..."someone stole my bike..."
 
I've called a few times (911), the reaction is mixed, but cruising up i75 they take it pretty seriously, I've even seen the car pulled over within 5 mins of my call.
 
I've called in one before (911) because the guy driving went off the road into the gravel twice. The person on the other end didn't seem to really care. It doesn't matter if they care though, I'm still calling it in if I see it.
 
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