[Closed] Drink Driving - What would you have done?

ps. Please don't grass me up for impersonating a police officer

https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/alcohol-facts/alcohol-and-the-law/how-to-report-a-drink-driver/

I think the only thing you can do in that situation is call the police.

As you actively gave them the opportunity to consider their actions, I'd have followed it up by immediately calling the police with the car registration, make and model along with the location. I doubt there's anything the police can do now.

https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/alcohol-facts/alcohol-and-the-law/how-to-report-a-drink-driver/

<h2>What if I see someone drink and drive?
</h2>

• Nick’s advice is clear – if you see someone drunk about to drive then call the police.
  “If you see someone attempting to operate a vehicle while intoxicated, please call 999 as this may require urgent police action,” he says.
  You might need to supply:
• the vehicle’s registration number and a description (including colour and make).
• a description of the drink driver and their name and address if you know it.
• other useful information such as the places they often drink, where they usually drive and if they have access to any other vehicles.
  Meanwhile, if you want to report a drink driver after the drink driving has taken place, you can call the police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

<h2>Can I talk someone out of drink driving?</h2>
“Trying to talk to someone should only take place if it is felt safe to do so,” says Nick.

So, while it’s a smart idea to talk to a friend about sharing an Uber home, think twice if it’s a stranger – there’s a possibility they might get violent or abusive.

If you’re out at a bar, tell security or bar staff that you’re worried. They’re trained to safely intervene.
<h2>Four steps to reporting a drink driver</h2>

1. Talk to them (but only if it’s safe). If they’re a friend, try and talk them round to sharing an Uber home. Beware of doing the same for strangers, they may get violent or abusive.
2. Tell the bar staff. If you’re out, talk to the bar staff or security, they should be trained to deal with the situation.
3. Phone 999. If you see someone about to drink and drive call 999 and ask for the police.
4. Have the facts. Be prepared to tell police the car’s registration number, a description of the vehicle and the person involved, if you can.

I reported my ex-wife for drink driving twice or three times before the divorce finalised. The first time I genuinely feared for repercussions and I think that came across in the call I made to the Police. The bloke answering sounded sympathetic, but there was nothing they could do unless they caught her.

Anyway, you did the right thing in talking to them, it's a shame that they chose to ignore you.

Is there anything else I could have done?

Only the obvious thing of phoning the police.

I felt powerless to stop this

Um. You do know how to work a telephone right?

Ring 999 report them bit late now though.  Absolute idiots that they are.

I'd have rung the police but know folk who wouldn't.

A mum recently killed her young daughter and partner in our town after attending a family party, she'd apparently only had a couple. She's now in prison but I'm sure the time inside won't be anywhere near as bad as the life sentence she's going to suffer knowing she killed two loved ones.

It's not just the kid in the back that is in danger of being injured or losing his parents, it's the other road users they might crash into as well. I'd still shop them - even if plod doesn't do anything, you're creating a record of it in case it happens again.

I once followed a guy who was all over the road - very erratic driving in terms of road position and speed etc.

I was convinced he had been drinking so pulled in-front of him at a junction and challenged him about it. The smell from the car did nothing to reduce my view!

He made up some story about fiddling with the radio and drove on - I phoned the police with a description and number plate and the road and direction of travel.

I've no idea if they did anything, but it made me feel better to have done all I could

Respect for talking to her about it. In spite of their reaction it's possible (but far from certain!) that the fact you saw them and mentioned it might have shocked her (them) a bit and might make them think a bit more carefully about establishing a designated driver in future.

Agree with others that 999 at the time would have been the ideal course of action, but you had already done far more than most so big slap on the back to you.

I called the police when I saw someone in a motorway services weave their way to their car, get in, and start reversing down the slip road onto the M5. The response I got from the call handler was pretty shocking.  Basically not interested at all and then started grilling me for personal details, my own car reg, address, reason for being at the services etc.

So the advice might be to call the police, but I think that unless they get more than one call they'll assume it's a wind-up or an attempt to get revenge on another driver.

I agree with OOB  _ Talking to them was a good attempt but phoning 999 would have probably got them stopped and caught

I think you can call 999 for stuff that's not an actual life or death sudden emergency but still needs immediate attention.  When I've called, they tend to ask if it's an emergency first, I've said no and then continued the conversation.  Reported a burning car and a burning hill in the past, but nothing police related.

I've had two incidents both on the other side of the world where attitudes, historically were slightly more relaxed.

I was a bar manager and my license was predicated on me not allowing intoxicated patrons to drive, i tried to stop one chap (and his gobby wife) - i explained my predicament and that I would have to call the police. He responded rather negatively to that. As he left I rang the cops and lo and behold he hit them head on as they came through the entrance gates ! Made that one easier.

Secone one in NZ the guy was asleep at the lights which were Red. I rang cops and they asked me to tail him with my hazards on which I did and they stopped him. Rather awkwardly he was my neighbour but he was so p1ssed i don;t think he clocked me. Well he certainly never mentioned it when he asked for a lift once he'd been banned !

Ongoing drink driver incidents are a 999 call every time. Impaired drivers are more likely to crash and less inclined to hang around afterwards.

“Are you sure? I’ve noticed you’ve had a bit of wine, is it worth it with the lad in the back?”

In general* I hate this, along with the "I drive more carefully with my kids in the car". What about the other 60 million people on this island, all someones child, all (or most) would be missed just as much if you killed them.

*Although in this case, you could have been appealing to her irrational brain to convince her to not drive.

Flaperon - I think you were unlucky.  Most police forces would consider this a serious matter and that 999 was justified.  Certainly they have stopped (and caught) plenty of people as a result of a single 999 call.

Interestingly we are told mobile phone use can be just as dangerous, but I’m not sure they would apppreciate 999 calls for everyone I see texting at the lights!

I can recall such an incident that happened at our sailing club about 8yrs ago.

An old buffer, who lives on the island, always sloshed back a bottle of wine and then jumped in his car to drive the small handful of miles back home. He’d often have a couple of bottles, sometimes shared sometimes not.

Anyway..

After the fourth crash that year in his car at various junctions (where he’d carried on straight or mounted kerbs and hit vehicles) one of the lads in the club saw him slosh back a bottle of wine and then approached the old buffer who promptly turned “don’t you know who I am” etc.etc.

So a week later and it happened again and we stood on the balcony in a small group and this lad agonised over calling the cops, until one of the other blokes said “he could run your kids over mate”

He made the call.

The buffer got a 2yr ban.

All hell broke loose at the club with recriminations and all sorts of odd side taking.

Not nice.

He’s back driving, doesn’t drink at the club anymore and keeps himself to himself.

 I think you can call 999 for stuff that’s not an actual life or death sudden emergency

No matter, I'd consider a pissed driver to meet that threshold anyway.

A similar situation played out one lunchtime about a month ago at a local pub, the only difference is i didn't get involved and five adults and four children got into a 3 series BMW.

These folk are just good old fashioned thick as pigshit, would be a waste of breath trying to negotiate with them.

These folk are just good old fashioned thick as pigshit, would be a waste of breath trying to negotiate with them.

That's easy just call the police and stop them ruining somebodies life.

Interesting .

I once pulled up next to an Audi Estate  ay Reigate Hill M25 roundabout and the driver next to me was drinking a can of Stella, He had tints and thought they made him invisable. i drove to the next layby , he joined the M25 , and I called  the Police with make , model and reg . The call handler was very intersted and took it seriously. Doubt they found the guy, but what a dick .

I would have rung the Police as they were walking to the car , then rang them again 5 mins later whilst they were  sitting in the car. As far as Im aware even being in thhe drivers seat , with the keys is enough for a DD prosecution .

Aproach them and let them know, not  a chance.

Personally, would have reported her.  However, I wouldn’t feel guilty.  A couple of years ago* I reported a driver I thought was drunk** as and the police call handler was so shit taking my call*** that the driver ended up crashing and dying.

*Fairly well reported incident of a car being driven the wrong way on the A38M in Brum.

**The driver turned out to be unwell and was not at all drunk.  A massive shame.

***Had to repeat myself 3 times in which time we drove 1.5 miles and it seemed she was following a script and asking for pointless details.  This despite the car hitting curbs on both sides of the road and having 3 near misses with oncoming traffic in a matter of seconds.

***Had to repeat myself 3 times in which time we drove 1.5 miles and it seemed she was following a script and asking for pointless details.  This despite the car hitting curbs on both sides of the road and having 3 near misses with oncoming traffic in a matter of seconds.

The "script" will work for the numbers which is why they use it, every case is different but people have to work out a way for people to get the info out, that does not fit every situation which is bad and it hurts but the hardest thing is the greater good.

That is also having listened to lecture on the European Nuclear emergency response multi criteria decision analysis tools.

and also do the same if you see someone driving while using a phone, having taken any codeine based medication or driving their naughty kids to school, adjusting the radio.. dont get me started on bikers on those public rights of way designated footpaths...while we are at it, i take it everyone else on this thread was at their local common land on sunday practicing archery

laws are laws, people are people - personally i think you did well to manage a civil sounding conversation, but ultimately not your problem.

next time it might be a baby robins face?

and to anyone who wants to point out that the police would 'like you' to assist them in their job, do you also report 'cash' work, potential illegal immigrants, and unnecessary/inappropriate use of the NHS?

Soobalias - and how many of those things (in your second post) result in a threat to other people (possibly why not normally police matters)?  If you woke up the next morning and discovered on the news that whilst intoxicated she ploughed into a cyclist and killed them would you feel no remorse for not taking 90 seconds from your life to report it?

Are you trolling or do you not believe drunk driving is dangerous?

Just bleat on here hours after the action and hope they are a mountain biker so they will see your complaint; or do the decent thing at the time...

The shit some people put on here.

’I could have done something but I thought I’d ask Singletrack first’

If you didn’t do something about it like ‘call the police ‘ then you are as moronic as the people that drove.

Culpable because you saw them but didn’t report.

Dullard

Are you trolling or do you not believe drunk driving is dangerous?

He’s trolling just ignore him.

Thanks for the replies. I did not consider 999 as had it drummed into me that this was for real emergencies and crimes that had happened. I can see now it was appropriate. We called crimestoppers instead which was constantly engaged. The question remains as to whether I should have called before or after trying to stop her. I feel that if I had managed to dissuade her it would have been a win all round.

Take the keys from the ignition and call 999.

There was enough of you to have realistically controlled any aggro from the passenger.

Keys inside to the landlord behind the bar - they won’t let their license be jeopardised.

(Personally I’d have launched the keys into the hedge)

Call 999, nick their keys and throw them over a hedge, or use your ‘any person’ power of arrest if you are feeling especially public spirited / brave.

Pass the reg and the police will often head to their address to head them off.

OP - 999 is for crime in progress, suspect for a serious crime seen or if a threat to life exists - two boxes ticked in this case. We’d rather have 100 calls about drink drive reports than one about a triple fatal RTC involving a child.

Copper for 15 years, including 6 years as a traffic cop, so probably qualified to advise....

I guess this is the follow-up question: Is it ever worth challenging a stranger about to drive after drinking?

If you can catch them before they get to their car, and they have the option of saying they're just getting something from the back seat, maybe.

But if someone's in the driver seat with the key in the ignition, a bit tipsy/"probably OK"/pissed, they know they're in the wrong, they've already justified to themselves the choice/"need" to drive.  No-one likes being challenged by a stranger - all you'll get is a variation on "**** off, mate".  If they're an alcoholic, they'll be all sorts of shame and bullshit justification generation all ready to go.

I can see it seems like the right thing to do to give someone a chance before you call the police, but given the vanishingly small chance of it doing any good, is it losing time on just calling the police straight away?

Or is the choice; call the police immediately, but if you're going to challenge someone, you need to be ready to back it up physically, e.g. taking their keys.

??

I've called 999 before after seeing someone leaving a pub drunk and getting in their car. It was handled superbly by police, literally one minute later a traffic car came screaming down the lane, caught up with the  driver at the junction just down the road from the pub and dealt with them. It was very satisfying to watch.

I wouldn't hesitate to do the same again and I'm amazed people are even asking the question, to me its bloody obvious you should phone the police.

Slightly different context, but something similar happened to me at work - one of my team came in to work smelling of drinking and 'a bit wobbly', so I called him into the office and sent him home. I asked him how he would get home and he said he was driving. I said no chance and even offered to pay for a taxi home. he got aggressive and walked out saying he wasn't drinking and would drive home so I called the Police. They were very interested, turns out they knew of him as he'd been caught before, so they set up a trap at the end of his road and caught him well over the limit with a bottle of vodka in his car. He left work shortly after that! I think he ended up with a 2 year ban, but I don't know what happened after that!

Moral of the story for me is always call 999 in that situation, my experience is that the Police are interested and will respond. Get drink drivers off the road...

I saw a bloke practically fall out of a Chinese restaurant years ago, bag of food in hand. He lolloped across the road and then fell into the side of his car. Hanging on to the roof for balance he then started trying to open the door but clearly couldn't get it unlocked or work the door handle properly. I stood watching in amazement across the road as I phoned the police station which was less than a 100yds away. They weren't keen on doing much and I had to really spell it out that if one of them didn't come out immediately and see to the situation there will be a nasty accident practically on their doorstep. He was so drunk I was surprised he'd actually managed to order a take away.

Some friends of mine were having a post ride drink and were responsible for getting Chris Tarrant busted a couple of years back. He thought it was ok to quaff port and brandy at lunch and drive along the leafy Berkshire lanes back home. Pratt. He's not alone though, thousands do it every day.

Its an awful, selfish crime with a great many victims.

Cheers all I've been educated and am now not such a dullard

Reading zbonty's post above make me wonder, for those of us who have a post ride pint, do you ever have more than one drink? Is that acceptable? I appreciate that if it went tits up after it would be the rider who would come off worse.

Erm.. if you are driving, why have a drink?

Just as an aside, I was told recently on a speed awareness course that it is perfectly LEGAL to call 999 whilst driving, even handheld.

So you can report a crime even if you are driving without having to find somewhere to stop.

Many years ago I was in the pub & was only out for an hour or so. I had 3 pints of coke in pretty quick succession, wasn't feeling the best & left. Walked past the queue of people waiting to get in.

Ran across the road, threw up over the car park wall. Got in my car, shut the door. Opened the door again & threw up again. Closed the door & drove off.

Everyone in the queue watched me do this & I completely expected that I was going to get reported & stopped on the way home. I didn't but I would've liked to.

Is it legal to nick a policeman's hat if you need it to be sick in?