What to do if following a suspected DUI?
What to do if following a suspected DUI?
Author
Discussion

Miffy84

Original Poster:

35 posts

226 months

Thursday 17th January 2008
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Driving back from Oxford on the A34 North (DC) this evening (20h45 approx) and came up behing a Mitsi Pajero. The driver was displaying useless lane discipline, straddling baoth lanes, even when passing other motorists, and speed varying between 55 and 80mph. I'd (warily) pass him without adjusting my speed, only to be passed by him (nearly taking my mirror off) a few mins later, and then pass him again as his speed dropped. Tried having a peek as I passed him again, but couldn't look long enough to see whether he was drunk or tired or what. This behaviour went on all the way home (about 15mins) and he was even behind me when I turned into our housing estate, where he went straight on.

Anyways, seen this behaviour before, mainly from tired motorists on the motorway late on Sunday evenings, but what should you do if following someone you suspect of DUI? Do you call the local plod? Call 999? Or just back off or blast past em! J/K

Smithy

jas xjr

11,309 posts

270 months

Thursday 17th January 2008
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i followed a drunk driver on new years eve. he pulled out of the pub car park without his lights on,it was well after midnight, then sttopped at a zebra crossing when threr was no-one there. did not know what to do , so just stopped and called 999 with his reg number.do not know what happened if anything.new years eve is a busy night for the police

time2react

91 posts

231 months

Thursday 17th January 2008
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If your so concerned as to consider whether to call the BIB then you should. Via 999
I'm sure you'd never forgive yourself if you did nothing, went home Then read in the morning A Pajero had been involved in a fatal collision with a family of four on that same road around the time you had seen it.
I can asure you the police would want you to call, even if it turned out to be nothing.

Medic-one

3,143 posts

234 months

Friday 18th January 2008
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If you truely believe it's a drunk driver just say behind it (carefully) and dial 999, any tragic accident that can be prevented counts.

And since it is an emergency i believe you can actually use your mobile phone in not-hands-free mode (there must be a simpler word for that).

PeteG

4,278 posts

242 months

Friday 18th January 2008
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Hit three nines, give a good description of the car, reg. no if possible, and location and direction of travel. This is obviously easier on a motorway - "southbound on the M1, just passing Jct X"... Done it myself in that situation, as said, you have an exemption to dial 999 in an emergency on a none-handsfree phone... HTH

pjac67

2,040 posts

283 months

Friday 18th January 2008
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999 every time - done it twice now and both times Police raced to attend and informed me that they were DUI big time!.

One was on the M4 at night with driver sweeping across all 3 lanes and varying speed to such an extent it was difficult to pass. Was on 'phone to Police for c.15 mins. whilst they positioned a car at a junction - I just sat behind at quite a distance with my hazards on - unfortunately he completely side swapped a lorry before Police could attend!

john_r

8,354 posts

302 months

Friday 18th January 2008
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Errr... can I just point out that using a cell phone whilst driving is 3 points and a fine. Up until that 'law' was 'passed' then I'd have phoned the BiB immediately, but sadly now I'd have to think twice about the consequences of that call for me.

Edited by john_r on Friday 18th January 08:54

pikey

7,704 posts

315 months

Friday 18th January 2008
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john_r said:
Errr... can I just point out that using a cell phone whilst driving is 3 points and a fine. Up until that 'law' was 'passed' then I'd have phoned the BiB immediately, but sadly now I'd have to think twice about the consequences of that call for me.
You're wrong. Use in an emergency is an exemption.

supermono

7,464 posts

279 months

Friday 18th January 2008
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pikey said:
You're wrong. Use in an emergency is an exemption.
It's not dangerous to hold a phone to your ear PROVIDED you're talking to the emergency services. Just like speeding isn't dangerous PROVIDED a policeman is at the wheel.

SM

Edited by supermono on Friday 18th January 09:42

7db

6,060 posts

261 months

Friday 18th January 2008
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It's legal provided its an emergency AND it is not safe or practical to stop to make the call.

john_r

8,354 posts

302 months

Friday 18th January 2008
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I stand corrected! Thanks! thumbup

JackHolroyde

490 posts

229 months

Friday 18th January 2008
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supermono said:
pikey said:
You're wrong. Use in an emergency is an exemption.
It's not dangerous to hold a phone to your ear PROVIDED you're talking to the emergency services. Just like speeding isn't dangerous PROVIDED a policeman is at the wheel.

SM

Edited by supermono on Friday 18th January 09:42
i thought speed kills? Thats like say a gun isnt dangerous because its in the hands of a soldier!

ipsg.glf

1,590 posts

249 months

Friday 18th January 2008
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999. I called in a drunk driver a few weeks ago and she was found to be 4 times over the drink drive limit. Do it.

MK4 Slowride

10,028 posts

239 months

Friday 18th January 2008
quotequote all
JackHolroyde said:
supermono said:
pikey said:
You're wrong. Use in an emergency is an exemption.
It's not dangerous to hold a phone to your ear PROVIDED you're talking to the emergency services. Just like speeding isn't dangerous PROVIDED a policeman is at the wheel.

SM

Edited by supermono on Friday 18th January 09:42
i thought speed kills? Thats like say a gun isnt dangerous because its in the hands of a soldier!
That all depends on if it's an American soldier or a British soldier holding the gun.

liner33

10,861 posts

233 months

Friday 18th January 2008
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I followed a suspected drunk driver along the A303 , he narrowly missed a few cars by wandering over onto the other side of the road at one point forcing a car with trailer into the banking so i phoned 999 and started to follow him, once he got onto the A303 (DC) he then sped up to 90+ mph and again showed poor lane control eventually hitting some kerbing and blowing out his nearside front tyre. He didnt slow down and lost control slowing down to a roundabout, he seemed oblivious to the blowout , after about 5 miles he pulled into a layby and i updated the police on where he was

I waited for them at the start of the layby and stayed in my car , the police eventually turned up and simply drove by the driver slowly before driving off, they never even spoke to him!!!!

Total waste of my time


Jasandjules

72,683 posts

260 months

Friday 18th January 2008
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liner33 said:
I waited for them at the start of the layby and stayed in my car , the police eventually turned up and simply drove by the driver slowly before driving off, they never even spoke to him!!!!

Total waste of my time
So far you seem to be the exception, I'd call plod as well... As said above, how would you feel if the next day you hear of a 4*4 in a fatal.....