Reporting a drunk driver - will I hear anything?
Discussion
Went for a few beers last night, nothing excessive (4 pints) and stopped off for the obligatory kebab. My friend was driving and pulled up outside where we both saw this guy staggering around outside with his own chile-sauce inspired meal, clearly the worse for wear.
We ordered our food then looked out the shop window where we both watched in disbelief as this guy went to the boot of the Merc parked in front then jumped in the driver's seat
Watched astounded as he stop-started his way out of the parking bay and on his merry way - I honestly could not believe he could drive this car when his legs were incapable of supporting him on the pavement. Anyway 999 with the details and they dispatch a patrol car to try to track him down.
Unfortunately we were unable to follow this guy (he'd gone by the time we'd run back to the car), so not sure how likely it is that he was caught. Question is though - am I likely to get an update from the BIB?
Not overly fussed either way, but don't want anyone to be shocked if they answer my phone to the local plod-shop!
Spoke to the kebab-shop owner who reckons he's a regular who claimed to be disabled! Possibly true but the smell of whiskey told me it was more than a disability that made his driving style so unique...
We ordered our food then looked out the shop window where we both watched in disbelief as this guy went to the boot of the Merc parked in front then jumped in the driver's seat
Watched astounded as he stop-started his way out of the parking bay and on his merry way - I honestly could not believe he could drive this car when his legs were incapable of supporting him on the pavement. Anyway 999 with the details and they dispatch a patrol car to try to track him down.
Unfortunately we were unable to follow this guy (he'd gone by the time we'd run back to the car), so not sure how likely it is that he was caught. Question is though - am I likely to get an update from the BIB?
Not overly fussed either way, but don't want anyone to be shocked if they answer my phone to the local plod-shop!
Spoke to the kebab-shop owner who reckons he's a regular who claimed to be disabled! Possibly true but the smell of whiskey told me it was more than a disability that made his driving style so unique...
Your call to Control centre (presume you gave your details).
Control Centre circulates observation message to cars/directs one particular car. No personal details given out, just report of.
If alerted Plod doesn't trace the vehicle or arrests driver he will not have your personal details, but may be enquiring enough in the later case to trace original call and then, I would have thought as a common courtesy, advised you of outcome and even maybe a statement from you.
If nothing heard then don't be despondent as your actions were commendable.
DVD
Control Centre circulates observation message to cars/directs one particular car. No personal details given out, just report of.
If alerted Plod doesn't trace the vehicle or arrests driver he will not have your personal details, but may be enquiring enough in the later case to trace original call and then, I would have thought as a common courtesy, advised you of outcome and even maybe a statement from you.
If nothing heard then don't be despondent as your actions were commendable.
DVD
I reported a crazy woman driving at oncoming traffic on the outskirts of Leeds (A64 towards Bramham for locals).
Kept up the commentary to the control room whilst my dad drove, when she accellerated up to 85 or so I was asked to keep her in sight and keep up the commentary if I could do so without putting myself or other road users in danger.
We were told that police would come on to the A64 at Fulford (about 25 miles), when they did there was about 6 cars, rolling roadblock, the whole nine yards. All it needed was Sheriff John Bunnell providing a voiceover.
We were asked to wait at the next junction and give a statement. AFAIK she was done for being unfit through drink or drugs.
Kept up the commentary to the control room whilst my dad drove, when she accellerated up to 85 or so I was asked to keep her in sight and keep up the commentary if I could do so without putting myself or other road users in danger.
We were told that police would come on to the A64 at Fulford (about 25 miles), when they did there was about 6 cars, rolling roadblock, the whole nine yards. All it needed was Sheriff John Bunnell providing a voiceover.
We were asked to wait at the next junction and give a statement. AFAIK she was done for being unfit through drink or drugs.
I did it once as well, coming off the Snake Pass into Glossop, some toerag in front of me was all over the road. Phoned the police, told the guy on the phone about 18 million times where we were (he just didn't get it - I mean how difficult is it - westbound snake pass almost in Glossop), and never heard anything about it. I gave him the reg number, hopefully they called to his house and tested him.
Problem is you cannot get a local number to report immediate issues to.
When I lived in Caversham we had a few abandoned cars quite close to the house, one of which was set on fire (with very bad affects on the then girlfriend). You ring 999 and spend the first 5 minutes explaining to someone in a call centre exactly where you are.
Reading police attended later and when we asked for a number to ring in case of further incidents we were given.....
...yeah you guessed it 999
If you see my other thread on abandonded cars you have to wonder how much assistance we can offer the police when they seem to take no action.
And a 15% increase on my council tax? where's it going guys - the cost of tea hasn't increased that much.
Sorry not ranting, I want to .and will do my civic duty but I need something in return
Dave
When I lived in Caversham we had a few abandoned cars quite close to the house, one of which was set on fire (with very bad affects on the then girlfriend). You ring 999 and spend the first 5 minutes explaining to someone in a call centre exactly where you are.
Reading police attended later and when we asked for a number to ring in case of further incidents we were given.....
...yeah you guessed it 999
If you see my other thread on abandonded cars you have to wonder how much assistance we can offer the police when they seem to take no action.
And a 15% increase on my council tax? where's it going guys - the cost of tea hasn't increased that much.
Sorry not ranting, I want to .and will do my civic duty but I need something in return
Dave
gh0st said:.......then a
I've done this before twice mate and heard nothing either time.
Even so
Dont enjoy grassing people up for anything but DD is the one thing I have no qualms about...
Dontand
otherwise
will
and
all over you
will send you to prison 
where you'll one day pick up some 
and then get 
ed by an a55 
, then you'll wish you were 
Details were left with the control room in case they needed to follow anything up, so I guess I'll wait and see if I get the call.
Agree with some of the comments above, I'm not one to grass on the majority of things but some things just have to be reported morally. Couldn't forgive myself if I'd read about a family being wiped out in next week's local rag. Just annoying that, due to the timing of events we couldn't have followed him, but can't be helped.
Driving whilst unfit (for any reason) in inexcusable... I was told by the kebab shop owner that he thought the DD may have been mentally handicapped too. He definitely smelled of alcohol but, whatever the reason, should never have been behind the wheel of his car that night.
Agree with some of the comments above, I'm not one to grass on the majority of things but some things just have to be reported morally. Couldn't forgive myself if I'd read about a family being wiped out in next week's local rag. Just annoying that, due to the timing of events we couldn't have followed him, but can't be helped.
Driving whilst unfit (for any reason) in inexcusable... I was told by the kebab shop owner that he thought the DD may have been mentally handicapped too
. He definitely smelled of alcohol but, whatever the reason, should never have been behind the wheel of his car that night. Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff