Rat Out Drunk Drivers?

[daepp]

Disclaimer - I think drunk drivers should be removed from the roads, however:

Our high tech digital message boards all around So Cal implored us, this holiday season, to turn in the drunk drivers by calling 9-1-1.

While I might be inclined to do so if I encounter an obvious drunk, why is Caltrans et al. stopping here? Why not turn in drivers applying makeup, or distracted by cell phones? Or why not just turn in bad drivers? Or what about drivers whose gas mileage is too low? What about SUV's whose bumpers are too high?

Since when is it the government's job to turn us all in to snitches and squealers ? And does it stop with driving? Don't we have public agencies whose jobs it is to police these things? Reminds me of the stories I used to hear about communist countries - all citizens living in fear of being snitched on - even when they had done nothing wrong. I don't think that this is where we want to go...

[jorian]

As cliche as it sounds, by turning in a drunk driver, "The life you save may be your own."

[baldman]

So (to play Devil's advocate) if you witnessed a murder should you not call 911 and turn in the murderer because the police weren't there to see it? You would still be a snitch, right?

[daepp]

Originally Posted by baldman

So (to play Devil's advocate) if you witnessed a murder should you not call 911 and turn in the murderer because the police weren't there to see it? You would still be a snitch, right?

You had to see the signs - it just didn't sit right. Surely we would turn in a murderer if we witnessed or suspected one of such - but that is a far cry from turning in someone you you merely suspect of being drink, isn't it?

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by daepp

...Why not turn in drivers applying makeup, or distracted by cell phones? Or why not just turn in bad drivers? Or what about drivers whose gas mileage is too low? What about SUV's whose bumpers are too high?...

Because in a lot of places those things are not illegal, although some of them should be.

And you can turn some of those people in if you want.

Just report them as an erratic driver and suggest they may be impaired.

[cgarr]

Its really no secret where they are. Why don’t the police just set out side the local tavern and pick them up on there way out? Oh wait, that would cause the place to close down and cut into the local city governments revenue, we can’t have that! If you really follow the laws, its all about money, nothing more, if it was really about drunk drivers they would ban alcohol and they will never do that, Just ask Ted Kennedy..

[GO DAWG GO]

Cell phones cause more accidents than DUIs. Heck... I almost crashed my truck a few times trying to see and dial a number without my reading glasses using a cell phone. My wife bought me a Bluetooth headset for xmas.

Although I agree with you on the big government squeal on the non conformist programming. I have called 911 a couple of times when I was nearly creamed by an obviously soused (drunk) driver. Another occasion, one was all over the road drifting from lane to lane. Hitting there brakes for no apparent reason. I took a double take it was your typical OLD folks who shouldn't be driving anymore..

I dunno..If they are an obvious nuisance and danger to everyone, don't call 911 shoot them yourself.

[legion]

Driving to Nashville a year or so ago, I got behind a lady in a Buick in Kentucky on the interstate. At first I thought she was drunk. She was weaving from the right shoulder to the left shoulder crossing two lanes in between. She very nearly missing turning the car for some curves in the road.

I hung back and observed. I noticed that both hands were coming off the wheel to gesture. She was talking on her cell phone. I followed her for a good 20 miles. I thought about calling the police on her, but I have doubts about my own abilities to talk and drive.

[HardDrive]

If I see someone driving in a dangerous manner, I will call the police.

I have called the police on elderly drivers a couple times because they were endangering themselves and others. One of them was going the wrong way on a 8 lane road!

[baldman]

Originally Posted by daepp

You had to see the signs - it just didn't sit right. Surely we would turn in a murderer if we witnessed or suspected one of such - but that is a far cry from turning in someone you you merely suspect of being drink, isn't it?

I saw them. I hate those signs anyway - whenever they have a message on them everyone locks up their brakes so they can read.

A few months ago on my way home I got behind a guy who was weaving from side to side. He would hit the Botts Dots (drunk bumps) and then start weaving the other way. When he started slapping himself across the face I called 911. While I was on the phone with the CHP he sideswiped someone and then kept going. I hung with him until the cops got there, then pulled over with him to see if I needed to act as a witness to the accident.
When they got him out of the car he could barely stand.

The thing that annoyed me about the signs is that they feel the need to tell people to call if they see someone driving drunk. To me it's something you should do anyway.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by baldman

I saw them. I hate those signs anyway - whenever they have a message on them everyone locks up their brakes so they can read.

A few months ago on my way home I got behind a guy who was weaving from side to side. He would hit the Botts Dots (drunk bumps) and then start weaving the other way. When he started slapping himself across the face I called 911. While I was on the phone with the CHP he sideswiped someone and then kept going. I hung with him until the cops got there, then pulled over with him to see if I needed to act as a witness to the accident.
When they got him out of the car he could barely stand.

The thing that annoyed me about the signs is that they feel the need to tell people to call if they see someone driving drunk. To me it's something you should do anyway.

Exactly.

"snitch, squealer..." - who cares. If you are driving dangerously then getting pulled over can either wake you up (maybe make you hang up the phone) or catch you driving drunk, tired, whatever.

Too many people still drive when they are "fine to drive". People always know best especially when they've been drinking (funny that alcohol makes your judgement go to crap). I'm sure many on this board are guilty of driving when they shouldn't. It would really suck to get caught. So don't put yourself in that situation.

Cripes, selfish people (people who drink and drive) irritate the crap out of me.

No, I've never had anyone that I know harmed by a drunk driver. As a matter of fact, once when I was young and stupid, I blew out a tire driving after drinking too much. Fortunately for me, that was enough to learn my lesson. I realized how much worse it could have been and haven't since.

[Jeff Alton]

I called 911 once on a drunk. Nearly ran me off the road while going around gentle bend in the highway. Lots of Police met us a couple of miles down the road, buddy left in the back of a cruiser. The police attending seemed glad I had phoned....

I had a friend get run over and killed years ago by a drunk, so yes, I can't stand it when people drive drunk. My favorite are the one's who think it is funny that they made it home....

Cheers

[TerryH]

Originally Posted by daepp

Disclaimer - I think drunk drivers should be removed from the roads, however:

Our high tech digital message boards all around So Cal implored us, this holiday season, to turn in the drunk drivers by calling 9-1-1.

While I might be inclined to do so if I encounter an obvious drunk, why is Caltrans et al. stopping here? Why not turn in drivers applying makeup, or distracted by cell phones? Or why not just turn in bad drivers? Or what about drivers whose gas mileage is too low? What about SUV's whose bumpers are too high?

Since when is it the government's job to turn us all in to snitches and squealers ? And does it stop with driving? Don't we have public agencies whose jobs it is to police these things? Reminds me of the stories I used to hear about communist countries - all citizens living in fear of being snitched on - even when they had done nothing wrong. I don't think that this is where we want to go...

While most of these are distracting, they are not illegal. Driving drunk is, of course, illegal.

The irony here is if you report a distracted driver talking on their cell phone, you should be parked yourself, or it might be a tough sell.

[sammyg2]

I would have no problem making that call if it was obvious someone was drunk. My wife, my kids, my friends, everyone is at risk from these people when they drive like that.
I'm not talking about .08%, you would probably not be able to tell so you probably would never suspect them. I'm talking about the .2% or .25% scum who are so drunk they can't stay in their lane or control their vehicle. They need to be taken off the streets.

[widgeon13]

DWI is the only one they can prove w/o a witness and yes, I would do it in a heartbeat. I have no sympathy for those who choose to drink and drive.

[scottmandue]

Drinking and driving is a terrible thing.

Having said that, when I see these signs I wonder.

How the fuch do you know if a person is drunk or instead texting on the cell phone or just spilled their starbucks?

More importantly I hear reports that our 911 system is horrible over taxed as it is... I hear of people calling in getting put on hold... now the system is capable to handle every call from Jack and Jill who is a wannabe cop?

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by widgeon13

DWI is the only one they can prove w/o a witness and yes, I would do it in a heartbeat. I have no sympathy for those who choose to drink and drive.

That would be as opposed to those what are forced to drink and drive?

I know that is not what you meant, sorry couldn't resist.

[speeder]

If someone is driving in a dangerous manner, yeah, I'd rat 'em out.

In my neighborhood, we just call the INS on them.

I know that all groups of people in the US have drunk drivers, but for some reason it is like the national pastime of Mexico. (Driving drunk). I see it constantly, makes me want to throw them in my trunk and drop them off in TJ w/ no ID.

[Moneyguy1]

Perhaps reporting anone driving erratically should be the point.

The question about "What if you saw a murder but the cops didn't?" Rephrase it "What if you saw someone walking down the street with a "357 in each hand?" In the case of the murder, the event has already happened. In the case of the person walking down the street with two .357s, you might prevent that murder.

[Rick Lee]

I did call in a drunk driver once, but there was no doubt whatsoever that he was a danger to everyone on the road, weaving, stopping and then blocking anyone who tried to go around him. I have a serious problem with all kinds of driving behavior that is 100% legal or is slightly illegal but totally unenforced. I've almost been hit by a cop in DC who was on his cell phone, which is illegal in DC. I see an obvious drunk on the road about once a year. I see dangerous distracted drivers several times every single day.