Reporting a suspected drink driver?
Discussion
Anyone able to offer some advice as to the best thing to do, if this happens again?
I was driving up to my sister's place on Friday evening to do some babysitting, around 6:15pm. The route takes me past a couple of pubs. A car pulls out in front of me some distance away from one of the pub car parks - nothing wrong, no dodgy driving, or so I think...
About half a mile down the road, I notice the driver is literally ALL over the road. Half in the opposite lane 5+ times in the space of half a mile only really managing to get back in the correct lane when traffic is coming the other way (narrow s/c roads), randomly driving extremely slowly, then over the speed limit (15-20mph in a 30 zone, then 30+ in a 20 zone for instance). After a few minutes (I'm only following them for just over a mile before I have to turn off) I put 2 and 2 together and realise the driver is either on their phone (no evidence of this, no looking down and can't see a phone in their hand) or drunk. coming from a pub car park + all over the road + erratic driving.
Now, by the time I've realised this, we're in the 20 zone through a tiny village where my sister lives (and where I have to turn off), he's off doing 30-35, so I can't get close enough to read the plate. However, if I was able to read the plate, is this enough to ring 999 and report as a suspected drink driver? The drinkaware website says you need description of the person, along with car make and model and reg. Is reg and make/model of car enough?
If I had thought faster on Friday I would have gotten a bit closer to read the plate but didn't realise in enough time, and I wasn't 100% sure if they were drunk, or just a REALLY bad driver.
Any advice (in case it happens again)? Ta
I was driving up to my sister's place on Friday evening to do some babysitting, around 6:15pm. The route takes me past a couple of pubs. A car pulls out in front of me some distance away from one of the pub car parks - nothing wrong, no dodgy driving, or so I think...
About half a mile down the road, I notice the driver is literally ALL over the road. Half in the opposite lane 5+ times in the space of half a mile only really managing to get back in the correct lane when traffic is coming the other way (narrow s/c roads), randomly driving extremely slowly, then over the speed limit (15-20mph in a 30 zone, then 30+ in a 20 zone for instance). After a few minutes (I'm only following them for just over a mile before I have to turn off) I put 2 and 2 together and realise the driver is either on their phone (no evidence of this, no looking down and can't see a phone in their hand) or drunk. coming from a pub car park + all over the road + erratic driving.
Now, by the time I've realised this, we're in the 20 zone through a tiny village where my sister lives (and where I have to turn off), he's off doing 30-35, so I can't get close enough to read the plate. However, if I was able to read the plate, is this enough to ring 999 and report as a suspected drink driver? The drinkaware website says you need description of the person, along with car make and model and reg. Is reg and make/model of car enough?
If I had thought faster on Friday I would have gotten a bit closer to read the plate but didn't realise in enough time, and I wasn't 100% sure if they were drunk, or just a REALLY bad driver.
Any advice (in case it happens again)? Ta
Tall_Paul said:
andburg said:
in progress = 999 and provide information
if it was as bad as you say I'd have called it in and followed the car whilst on the phone to the police.
And in this case, it's legal to use your phone while driving to call 999, correct?if it was as bad as you say I'd have called it in and followed the car whilst on the phone to the police.
Cheers.
strictly.....no as it is safe to stop, but I'd put money on the operator asking you to stay with the car until they can get an officer behind you.
RAC said:
The law is clear on when you can use a hand-held device behind the wheel. It is only legal if you are safely parked – and this does not include waiting in traffic or when sat at the traffic lights.
The law also includes a proviso for emergencies: you are allowed to make 999 or 112 calls on a hand-held device while driving, but only if it’s not otherwise safe to stop.
The law also includes a proviso for emergencies: you are allowed to make 999 or 112 calls on a hand-held device while driving, but only if it’s not otherwise safe to stop.
Cheers - thought it would be a bit of a grey area, it's a newish (to me) car so haven't gotten round to fitting a phone mount just yet.
Ironically I was running late and they had a lift waiting so I didn't have time to follow the car beyond where I needed to turn off, but if I'd been on time I would have never seen the (possible) drink driver...
It's strange, I've seen literally hundreds of phone users whilst on a motorbike and never had even the slightest thought to report it. First time I've even seen a drink driver and I'm concerned that I really should have reported it. I suppose the difference is that someone using a phone is choosing not to be in full control for the time they're distracted, and can gain back full control of the car at any point by putting the phone down. Whereas a drink driver has no control over whether they're in control or not.
Plus drink driving is now seen as a socially unacceptable practice, phone usage isn't.
Ironically I was running late and they had a lift waiting so I didn't have time to follow the car beyond where I needed to turn off, but if I'd been on time I would have never seen the (possible) drink driver...
It's strange, I've seen literally hundreds of phone users whilst on a motorbike and never had even the slightest thought to report it. First time I've even seen a drink driver and I'm concerned that I really should have reported it. I suppose the difference is that someone using a phone is choosing not to be in full control for the time they're distracted, and can gain back full control of the car at any point by putting the phone down. Whereas a drink driver has no control over whether they're in control or not.
Plus drink driving is now seen as a socially unacceptable practice, phone usage isn't.
andburg said:
'You can use a hand-held phone if either of these apply:
you’re safely parked
you need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency and it’s unsafe or impractical to stop'
I'd say its impractical to stop.
OP and anyone else. 999 if you suspect its a drink/drug driver all the time. You wont be criticised (by the police).
I did it years ago and gave a commentary to the control room operator until the traffic car pitched up. They were more than happy for me to stay on the phone - hands free. Turned out the moron who I had assumed was pissed as a fart was a twenty-something lad who decided it was a good idea to drive while eating - with a fork - a pot noodle perched on his lap.
I had a similar situation a few years ago but I was in the passenger seat and my brother was driving. I called 999 and we followed him for 3-4 miles while relaying turns and street names to the operator. I do remember the operator asked me to confirm I wasn’t driving at least three times. What shw would have said if I were driving, I don't know.
In the end the guy pulled up outside his house and went in, followed by the police when they arrived a few minutes later. He was taken to court and apparently pleaded guilty to drink driving.
In the end the guy pulled up outside his house and went in, followed by the police when they arrived a few minutes later. He was taken to court and apparently pleaded guilty to drink driving.
Edited by SamR380 on Thursday 11th October 08:52
RogerDodger said:
There are certainly exceptions. I can use my phone AND not stop for police as I carry explosives (ADR) - I'm allowed to call 999 and check they are realy coppers trying to tug me, and not terrorists. I'm 100% a civvy.
I do a bit of ADR, mainly arbitration and some mediation. How do you get the explosives permit? A few sticks of dynamite would certainly come in very handy in a few of my cases.RogerDodger said:
Alternative Dispute Resolution - lol :-)
Didnt know it stood for that too!
Didnt know it stood for that too!
Quite why you’d casually drop it into a Forum post is anyone’s guess. As if anyone knows what it means other than the poster.
Regards the Drink driver I wouldn’t phone the police whilst driving as they’d be more interested in doing me for 6 points and a £200 fine.
Phone up with Best possible description of car and reg and general direction of heading whilst pulled over. I have no faith in common sense policing, it’s all binary now.
A friend of mine at uni decided he'd be ok to drive after about 8 pints. He got home safe and sound only to be greeted by a knock on the door some 15 minutes later. Police at the door asked if the car outside was his and if he'd been driving, he admitted as much and they breathalyzed him in his house. Apparently a local cabbie had reported him for driving all over the road. He ended up in court and received a driving ban. I was quite surprised they were able to convict him, as he could simply have not opened the door to the police, or denied driving or even claim he'd gotten himself pissed in the short interim between arriving home and the police arriving. Nonetheless I wouldn't have believed the story if I heard it, only that I know the guy in person.
Rang the Police a few years ago after driving behind a white van down a 2 lane dual carriageway. It was around 11am and this van was all over the place, bounced off the kerb a couple of times, across both lanes, slowing down, speeding up, was a danger to anyone trying to overtake!
I called them on hands free and gave the location and reg number. They asked me if I wanted a follow up call so I said yes! Got back to the office and they called me about 20 minutes later to say they'd found him and arrested him for DD. Around 11.30 by the time they caught up with him and even described him as 'Totally Hammered'!! At 11.30!!
I called them on hands free and gave the location and reg number. They asked me if I wanted a follow up call so I said yes! Got back to the office and they called me about 20 minutes later to say they'd found him and arrested him for DD. Around 11.30 by the time they caught up with him and even described him as 'Totally Hammered'!! At 11.30!!
RogerDodger said:
There are certainly exceptions. I can use my phone AND not stop for police as I carry explosives (ADR) - I'm allowed to call 999 and check they are realy coppers trying to tug me, and not terrorists. I'm 100% a civvy.
One would have thought the last person who should be able to use a phone while driving, and therefore be at more risk of crashing and causing an explosion, is someone who carries explosives.. oh well.Yes it is possible i think even Chris Tarrant was arrested like that after he went home
While all this is good I would also prefer if the Police will pay equal attention to Traveler gangs,East European human trafficking gangs or local chavs who race down narrow roads in crappy Astras
While all this is good I would also prefer if the Police will pay equal attention to Traveler gangs,East European human trafficking gangs or local chavs who race down narrow roads in crappy Astras
Bumblebee7 said:
A friend of mine at uni decided he'd be ok to drive after about 8 pints. He got home safe and sound only to be greeted by a knock on the door some 15 minutes later. Police at the door asked if the car outside was his and if he'd been driving, he admitted as much and they breathalyzed him in his house. Apparently a local cabbie had reported him for driving all over the road. He ended up in court and received a driving ban. I was quite surprised they were able to convict him, as he could simply have not opened the door to the police, or denied driving or even claim he'd gotten himself pissed in the short interim between arriving home and the police arriving. Nonetheless I wouldn't have believed the story if I heard it, only that I know the guy in person.
andburg said:
in progress = 999 and provide information
if it was as bad as you say I'd have called it in and followed the car whilst on the phone to the police.
I've done exactly this when I saw a car swerving all over the place, mounting kerbs etc. Got the missus to phone the police with the details, lost the car in traffic, but got a call back later to tell us that they'd found the car and arrested the driver.if it was as bad as you say I'd have called it in and followed the car whilst on the phone to the police.
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