Question regarding Drunk Driving

**ramanth** · 10-12-2007, 12:50 AM

I work until 1 a.m. and as such am on the road at that ungodly late hour. Tonight I was nearly run off the road by what I suspect was a drunk driver.

I saw headlights swerving in my rear view. I slowed down and got as far over as I dared and anxiously waited for them to pass me. Nearly swapped paint but I anticipated it (happy I was paying attention!) and then I watched as the car drove down the center of the highway and swayed from lane to lane and onto the shoulder several times. I expected them to drive right off the road but they barrelled on. I wish I got the $@%&!! plate.

My question is.... Would the police want me calling in for a suspected drunk or do they have better things to do? Or is it a fruitless call since there is no way to know where the person is going (unless I follow them)?

Do State/County Police have a non emergency number?

I prefer not to be on the phone while driving, but if it's of the opinion that I should report it, then I'll start (as long as I can get a decent description of the car & plate number).

I'm just so riled right now... gonna take some time to get to sleep.

**chocolatepuppy** · 10-12-2007, 05:21 AM

In the little town I live in it would be just as quick to call the non emergency number to get the police out looking for the driver. Not having the plate number isn't that important if you have a good description of the car and where it was headed. I'm glad you're ok.

**Cinder & Smoke** · 10-12-2007, 05:51 AM

MOST Law Enforcement Agencies consider erratic drivers to be "Life Threatening Emergencies"
and therefore proper to be reported on a 9-1-1 line - and they WILL attempt to
intercept and further observe the erratic driver.

And DON'T try to "follow" a high-speed vehicle or worry about the License Number -
the more important reporting issues are exactly WHERE you are (location)
and the Direction the erratic driver is heading; a good description of the erratic vehicle
is helpful - but not exactly required - they'll be looking for ANY vehicle acting strangely near
the area you've alerted them to.

Another "advantage" of calling 9-1-1 is that 9-1-1 centers have good communication with
adjacent communities - and can frequently alert multiple departments to be on the lookout for
the erratic driver - you get more bang for ONE phone call!

**Pam** · 10-12-2007, 05:52 AM

I followed (at a safe distance) a drunk driver several years ago before cell phones. I was wishing I had a way to alert the police because he was weaving all over the road and anyone coming along in the opposite direction would have been hit head on. He finally veered all the way over to the other side of the road into a clump of trees. The car stayed there so I imagine he was probably going to sleep it off. You betcha I would have called if I had a cell phone though. He was an accident waiting to happen and could have very well caused the death of innocent people. I am glad you are OK Kimmie.

**Ginger's Mom** · 10-12-2007, 06:02 AM

Yes, you should definitely call the police if you see a drunk driver, they do not have "better things to do," as this is taken very seriously. They will send someone out to check the area, and hopefully someone else will also call so they have an idea of what direction the person is heading in. I am glad to hear that you were able to safely get out of this person's way. I hope he made it home without injuring anyone.

**pitc9** · 10-12-2007, 07:31 AM

Once I was behind a drunk driver and called 911, I told them where was and they asked me to keep them in site as I stayed on the phone with the dispatcher. As the cop got close to me they asked me to turn on my 4 way flashers so it was easier for them to find me. The cop came up behind me and turned his flashers on and the dispatcher told me to move over so the cop could pull behind the drunk. JUST as I was moving out of the way, the car quickly tried getting off at an exit (I assumed they spotted the cops lights) but they missed the road and drove through the grass and took out the HUUGE sign for the exit!!!

I must admit, it was kind of neat, I felt like I was some cop show.
All I needed was the Bad Boys, Bad Boys what-cha gonna do.... playing in the back!!

Kimmy, I'm so glad he didn't hit you and that you had time to get out of his way. The way I look at it is that the police can't be everywhere all the time, and they can't see all the drunk drivers. So yes, I would call on a drunk driver. (again)

**mina'smomma** · 10-12-2007, 07:44 AM

I use to work for a Sheriff's Dept. and the deputies actually like it when you call in when there is someone who is drunk driving. They use to tell me that people who did that was like having a second set of eyes on the road. One even said that it helped catch those who were thinking they could get away with it.