What should I have done?

"Rainbow" (rainbeaux) 12/19/2013 at 16:04 • Filed to: None

0

9

A long time ago, I mentioned witnessing an accident for the first time, where my family was behind this Accord who couldn't hold his lane for about ten miles until he inevitably sideswiped an S10. Since we were on the freeway, we didn't have much choice but to stay with him until he crashed.
Well, yesterday I was out visiting some flea markets, and I wasn't in a familiar area. But the SUV in front of me was driving much like the Accord from before. I'm pretty sure he was texting or something, because for a minute or so he would be completely normal, then for a few seconds he would gradually drift entirely over the double yellows, onto the shoulder, even off the road at one point. Then he'd correct himself and drive like a normal person again. We were going fairly slow in a low-traffic area during work/school hours on a Wednesday, so it didn't strike me as an emergency worthy of a 911 call. That said, I didn't know the non-emergency number for the local police (since I was in a completely different county) and ended up letting the guy go when he eventually made a turn off of my planned route, and I didn't want to get lost an hour away from home. Now I'm worried that he may have really hurt himself or someone else, or worse. What would you have done in that situation?

desertdog5051 > Rainbow 12/19/2013 at 16:08

0

Call 911.

jlmounce > Rainbow 12/19/2013 at 16:12

0

Unfortunately, there's probably not a ton you could do. Even if you phone 911 it's unlikely that they would have tracked down the driver, or if they did could do so in time to stop an accident from happening.

Most states have some sort of non-emergancy call line specifically for reporting drunk, aggressive or otherwise unsafe driving. Here in Colorado, it's *CSP. It's not always plausible, but if I'm taking a trip out of state I usually do a quick search for these types of things.

SonorousSpeedJoe > Rainbow 12/19/2013 at 16:13

0

HONK HONK HONK.

If not that, then I'd try to give the guy a wide berth by pulling back and switching lanes if there was one available. If possible, I might note the plate number to report him at a later time, but I've never done that before.

Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him > Rainbow 12/19/2013 at 16:13

1

If you reported every person you saw driving irresponsibly you'd never be off your phone. I've honked at texters before, but never called one in just because I know the police don't really enforce it because of how common an occurrence it is and how difficult it is to catch someone in the act. Don't worry about it, the guy probably made it to where he was going unharmed, and even if he didn't there would be no one to blame but himself.

deekster_caddy > Rainbow 12/19/2013 at 16:17

0

911 should work from any cellphone, usually state police. They are an "erratic driver". You just tell them the facts - they are weaving, leaving the lanes, changing speeds erratically. Give them the plate number/vehicle type and if they have a way to get somebody there they will. If not they won't.

Leadbull > Rainbow 12/19/2013 at 16:19

0

At the very least, get his plates and report it to the cops later on.

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > Rainbow 12/19/2013 at 16:30

0

Call 911 with the plate number & vehicle description and let them know the vehicle is driving erratically. Ideally there will be a cop nearby that can be dispatched. If not, hopefully they get to where they are going without killing anyone.

Nibbles > jlmounce 12/19/2013 at 16:35

0

Came here to post this. *CSP is awesome

Takuro Spirit > deekster_caddy 12/19/2013 at 17:11

0

THIS.

Once in all my travels I noticed something similar, but with more speed. Lady nearly hit me and four other cars with her erratic driving and lane changes, and even though I happened to be in my P71 at the time (FAKE COP VIGILANTE PIT MANEUVER JUSTICE!!!), I called 911 and miraculously enough, after driving on the same interstate for 10 miles, she got off on the exit I get off on, and there was a State Patrol car up on the bridge waiting for her/us.