Calling about impared drivers

[Breandcjsmom]

I have always wanted to ask how police officers felt about people calling in about drunk drivers. In FL you can call 911 if you suspect a driver to be impared, and I ALWAYS call. If the person is driving really badly, (across lanes, ect.) I will follow them until they are pulled, tring to get the attention of any police officer I can. My husband and I followed one guy who was so drunk he passed out at a red light. My husband reached in a took his keys. The guy didn't wake up. We waited for an officer to arrive. When the officer finally woke the guy up, the guy tried to open his door and fell out onto his face!

I lost two really close friends in a bad DUI accident when I was 18. I guess it really affected the way I feel about drunk drivers.

I also wanted to know how ya'll feel about it when people call in about kids not in carseats and irratic drivers too. I have done this, but only in extreme cases. I don't think I could deal with it if someone got hurt and I didn't call.

[Kimble]

I have always wanted to ask how police officers felt about people calling in about drunk drivers.

I've gotten calls like this, and I've given calls like this when off-duty. I liked getting drunks off the streets, and what you can do to help if you call is make sure you have a good description of the vehicle (color, make/model, distinguishing characteristics, license plate, etc.), what road your on and/or what intersections you're near, direction of travel, and what you've observed (ex: erratically moving into other lanes, almost hit another car, etc.). Just make sure you stay a safe distance behind the car, as there's no sense in you, Bre or CJ getting hurt when you're trying to do the right thing.

I also wanted to know how ya'll feel about it when people call in about kids not in carseats and irratic drivers too. I have done this, but only in extreme cases. I don't think I could deal with it if someone got hurt and I didn't call.

Calling about car seats? If I saw it, a ticket was given, but calling the police out to deal with it when there are other more pressing calls is a little silly. I understand as a parent you take this seriously, which is why patrol officers look for this, but calling the police out on something like this is a bit much. Erratic drivers who are causing a danger to other drivers, on the other hand, is different, and if there's a unit in the area they can pull a traffic stop and hopefully stop it from continuing.

[BJJVad]

..My husband and I followed one guy who was so drunk he passed out at a red light. My husband reached in a took his keys. The guy didn't wake up..

Let the LEO's handle the Law Enforcement. Your husband pulling someone key's out of an ignition may seem like the right thing, but ultimately can make you liable if there is follow up lawsuit.

Trained LEO's have been sued when they themselves have mistaken Driving Under the Influence from someone going into Diabetic shock.

You can lose your house, vehicles and wages garnished.

The best thing you can do..

• Get an accurate description of the driver
  
• License Plate
  
• Vehicle Make and Model
  
• Last known location of travel

[DeltaV]

Let the LEO's handle the Law Enforcement. Your husband pulling someone key's out of an ignition may seem like the right thing, but ultimately can make you liable if there is follow up lawsuit.

Not only that, but in the State of Florida an officer must witness the person in actual physical control of the vehicle unless it's a crash case. If I got there and your husband had removed the keys from the ignition, I wouldn't make an arrest because the case would be dismissed. If I didn't see the keys in his possession then I can't make a DUI arrest. We've had issues with the fire department doing the same thing and have had DUI cases dismissed because of this reason.

[Breandcjsmom]

They can't sue you for stuff if you ain't got nothing....but i do understand where you are coming from. You should have seen this guy...my husband said he reeked of beer.

I've only called about car seats one time-non emergency number. The on kid (under 2) was in drivers lap and the others were flopping back and forth over the seats (pre-k age). The driver was on the interstate, and wasn't exactly keeping the car in her lane. So I called. I don't like to waste ya'll time on stupid stuff, but I couldn't watch that.

[Kimble]

I've only called about car seats one time-non emergency number. The on kid (under 2) was in drivers lap and the others were flopping back and forth over the seats (pre-k age). The driver was on the interstate, and wasn't exactly keeping the car in her lane. So I called. I don't like to waste ya'll time on stupid stuff, but I couldn't watch that.

Was the driver Britney Spears? :p

[BJJVad]

They can't sue you for stuff if you ain't got nothing....but i do understand where you are coming from. You should have seen this guy...my husband said he reeked of beer.

Regardless of what it smelled like, your husband is not an expert in the field. Nor does he have any formal training in the subject. I would advise him of this conversation, it may save those 3 trucks that he has from being someone else's.

http://forums.realpolice.net/showpos...09&postcount=9

I've only called about car seats one time-non emergency number. The on kid (under 2) was in drivers lap and the others were flopping back and forth over the seats (pre-k age). The driver was on the interstate, and wasn't exactly keeping the car in her lane. So I called. I don't like to waste ya'll time on stupid stuff, but I couldn't watch that.

I would advise that maybe you yourself should apply for Law Enforcement. You seem to have a knack for things falling into your lap. I suggest searching for information if you like to know more about requirements.

If you find that is not your calling, please contact your local agency when you see these types of incidents unfolding. Taking to much positive will eventually land you in the hot seat.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

They can't sue you for stuff if you ain't got nothing....

Disagree. Anybody with $55 can go to the Clerk's Office and sue ANYBODY for ANYTHING. Just because they may not win doesn't mean they can't sue.

I've been personally named in two suits brought by people for stupid stuff. I've been fortunate that they were both dismissed in summary judgment.

Yes, the suits were frivolous, but I was still sued.

[drummer-eman]

Not only that, but in the State of Florida an officer must witness the person in actual physical control of the vehicle unless it's a crash case. If I got there and your husband had removed the keys from the ignition, I wouldn't make an arrest because the case would be dismissed. If I didn't see the keys in his possession then I can't make a DUI arrest. We've had issues with the fire department doing the same thing and have had DUI cases dismissed because of this reason.

Really? I thought PA was bad.
we need to 'prove' actual physical control not have to witness it. We need a witness to the driving. Its one of 4 misdemeanors we can arrest without seeing it.
Domestic assault
Retail Theft
DUI
Scattering Rubbish

[retdetsgt]

We can make the arrest if a witness is available to testify they were driving. In fact, there's a process for citizens to issue traffic citations. Thankfully, most people don't know about it. I'm not sure what it is, but every once in a while some body does it.

[mcsap]

Really? I thought PA was bad.
we need to 'prove' actual physical control not have to witness it. We need a witness to the driving. Its one of 4 misdemeanors we can arrest without seeing it.
Domestic assault
Retail Theft
DUI
Scattering Rubbish

Yes, I got a lawyer once for actual physical control. He stalled his Benz, asked for 2 people to help him push his car while he STEERED it to the side fo the road ( 20 ft). They articulated that he was in the drivers seat ( no question the car wasn't running) and I popped him for DUI.

With their testimony, it held up fine

I am sure he drove it to the point it stalled but couildn't prove that part. He was also the solicitor to the Sheriff's Dept :eek::D

[ChesCopPodz]

I don't mind the ones that follow and continue to follow until we get there.

The ones that say there's a DUI on XYZ street, then hang up annoy me since we still send someone to XYZ street to look for it.