What would it take for you to call the police to report another driver?
Does the terminology of buzz your tower mean anything? well on a 3 lane road with a turning lane in the center, we were nearly were run off the road by a oncoming drunk driver. My buddy driving was a dispatcher immediately called it in and put the DWI in jail, with in minutes.
Drunks - every damn time I see one.
If they've run someone off the road or legitimately make me wonder if the driver can get home without a wreck - I would have no hesitation about calling 911 if I have enough to give the cops to go on.
Doesnt anyone here have a dash cam? Especially those that routinely drive busy congested areas? In today's day and age video evidence goes pretty far rather than just your word. This will give L.E more to work with to hold these road ragers accountable.
drainoil wrote: Doesnt anyone here have a dash cam? Especially those that routinely drive busy congested areas? In today's day and age video evidence goes pretty far rather than just your word. This will give L.E more to work with to hold these road ragers accountable.
I live in God's Country. My commute is 7 minutes. No need for a dash cam.
I just drove through New Mexico. All along I-40, there are signs asking motorists to report suspected drunk drivers by calling #DWI on your cellular phone.
I saw a suspected drunk driver. Apparently, dialing #DWI on my cell phone doesn't work. Maybe it's my carrier, I dunno. You'd think they'd also give an actual phone number, but no.
I have! I got passed by a two teen's in a pickup truck going down the break down lane at 80mph+ driver was holding his beer bottle out the window then drinking and back out the window.. weaving in and out of traffic. I tried to keep up with him but had a hard time while talking to the state police. they asked i pull in behind when they did get them... There were two young kids 8 and 10 laying down in the bed of the truck! The driver could not walk to the cruiser he was so drunk. Cops thanked me took my info and I asked to be called for trial but he didn't go to trial. I was not the only phone call they got but the only one who did get the plate number.
Related story: My co-worker's kid got a ticket in the mail for 55 in a 35 and coasting through a stop sign because someone produced a cell phone video while following him. Lawyer said it was a lawful citizen's arrest thing in his area.
But the sweet justice was that the vigilante's video simultaneously showed him speeding up to catch up and speed check my friend, so my friend just turned the tables and charged the other guy with going 65 in a 35 and using his phone while driving. Suddenly the charges were dropped.
I called on a guy in Austin who was visibly berkeleyed up. Judging by his teeth and eyes I would say habitual Meth user. He was swerving all the way into the grass median on the highway. I called, but it didn't do any good. Unless the police witness it (or see some kind of evidence to support a crime at which point they can open an investigation), you can't just "call in a crime." Basically, nothing will happen unless they respond, find the person, and witness the activity... or if you video it and they open an investigation. (at the risk of incriminating yourself for using a phone while driving)
I called once for what I suspected was a drunk driver. The keyword is 'drunk'. My local LEO's live for snagging them. Turns out the lady I was following was just dozing off after working 3rd shift but she nearly crashed several times so I don't feel bad for turning her in.
EvanR wrote: I just drove through New Mexico. All along I-40, there are signs asking motorists to report suspected drunk drivers by calling #DWI on your cellular phone.
Whenever I see these signs - and especially the ones all over the airport terminals I can't help but think of the Junior Spies from 1984.
About 99% of the time it is pointless
drainoil wrote: Doesnt anyone here have a dash cam? Especially those that routinely drive busy congested areas? In today's day and age video evidence goes pretty far rather than just your word. This will give L.E more to work with to hold these road ragers accountable.
my commute is about 12 miles.. but it is very busy and by the standards of anywhere not in LA or the North East.. very congested. A dash cam is on my list
Sadly, most of the really terrible driving I see is in Canada, on my way to or from autocrossing.
Canada being a place where my cell phone doesn't work.
Doesn't help that 20 kph over is the norm but 40 over isn't uncommon... or that I've never seen LEOs on the metric highway.
Where I live I see cars tailgating, running stop signs and red lights in front of cops. They don't care anymore unless they can give a speeding, DUI or cell phone ticket. The cross walk law used to be a big thing here, but now they don't even care if someone almost got hit.
The last time I called the cops it was about a suspected robbery. A truck stopped and spot lighted a building. The day before someone cut the locks on the building. The troopers came by and said it was a broken down vehicle. Hours later the broken down truck started and left. They could have caught the copper thieves right there, but did nothing. I will not waste my time helping them again.
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