I was driving home from Atlantic City this evening. Early on I notice that the red car in front of me is driving pretty erratically, rarely managing to use just one lane at a time. You know how sometimes even on a crowded highway you somehow hook up with a car, and keep meeting up with it for miles on end? Well, that red car happened to be that car for me tonight.
We keep meeting and losing each other for the next 60 miles, and with each successive meeting he looks more and more erratic, doing more and more weird things. I keep thinking that I really need to call state police and report him, because he looks like a menace on the road, but on the other hand I really hate butting in and causing trouble for other people. The only time I ever called police was to report my own mugging. At some point the thought occured to me that if I found out that the guy caused an accident later than night that hurt someone, I'd really feel terrible for a long time for not acting while I could. I decide to call police when I would get to the next service area, and I really needed to pee anyway.
Coincidentally, the erratic driver in the red car also pulls into the same service area, so I figure that would make things easier for police. I call state police and nark him out, telling them his make, color, and plate number, and where he was. When I check back, he already left the service area, so thought oh, well, I did what I could, and I didn't think that police could find him in the dark and busy highway, if they even took my report seriously. Surprisingly, just a couple of miles down the road, I see a cruiser with flashing lights stopped on the side of the road, and my friend pulled over in front of it. I don't think cops would pull over someone just based on some report from a civilian busybody, so I figure that the cop saw the same things I did once he caught up with him. I don't know how they could pick out one car out of so many in the dark so quickly, but I guess that's why they're professionals.
What does Languish think? Was it acceptable for me to report the guy to police, and probably get him in a lot of trouble if he was indeed drunk? Or should I always just mind my own business in such situations?
Absolutely acceptable if the guy is behaving like that consistently. At worst, he gets pulled over and the cops find out he's some old man who needs to get his glasses fixed.
At best, you've netted your first DUI and potentially saved someone a lot more than the annoyance of being pulled over at night.
Quote from: DGuller on August 21, 2009, 10:11:46 PM
I was driving home from Atlantic City this evening. Early on I notice that the red car in front of me is driving pretty erratically, rarely managing to use just one lane at a time. You know how sometimes even on a crowded highway you somehow hook up with a car, and keep meeting up with it for miles on end? Well, that red car happened to be that car for me tonight.
We keep meeting and losing each other for the next 60 miles, and with each successive meeting he looks more and more erratic, doing more and more weird things. I keep thinking that I really need to call state police and report him, because he looks like a menace on the road, but on the other hand I really hate butting in and causing trouble for other people. The only time I ever called police was to report my own mugging. At some point the thought occured to me that if I found out that the guy caused an accident later than night that hurt someone, I'd really feel terrible for a long time for not acting while I could. I decide to call police when I would get to the next service area, and I really needed to pee anyway.
Coincidentally, the erratic driver in the red car also pulls into the same service area, so I figure that would make things easier for police. I call state police and nark him out, telling them his make, color, and plate number, and where he was. When I check back, he already left the service area, so thought oh, well, I did what I could, and I didn't think that police could find him in the dark and busy highway, if they even took my report seriously. Surprisingly, just a couple of miles down the road, I see a cruiser with flashing lights stopped on the side of the road, and my friend pulled over in front of it. I don't think cops would pull over someone just based on some report from a civilian busybody, so I figure that the cop saw the same things I did once he caught up with him. I don't know how they could pick out one car out of so many in the dark so quickly, but I guess that's why they're professionals.
What does Languish think? Was it acceptable for me to report the guy to police, and probably get him in a lot of trouble if he was indeed drunk? Or should I always just mind my own business in such situations?
AC going north? Would you be talking about the Parkway, here?
Going for a serious, non-Languish answer here: definitely in the right. There's drivers who are just annoying and aggressive, and there are drivers who are erratic and dangerous- when you're on a highway, you might be pleased to see them roar on ahead and think it's not your problem, but if there's any congestion on the road and they cause an accident, it could easily turn into a pileup and become your problem again quite quickly.
I am okay with that.
Slargos is gonna be pissed :P
If he was like that for 60 miles it's definitely okay. That guy could have killed himself or someone else.
Easy call, and the right one. If it is nothing, it is nothing, and no real harm done.
It was Tim. His fake leg was falling off and he was having trouble with the brake. :whistle:
Quote from: DGuller on August 21, 2009, 10:11:46 PM
What does Languish think?
Languish thinks you misspelled "narced". Douche.
Thanks for your opinions. I knew I was in the right to report the driver, but I wasn't sure how "cool" was it to do so, since I was conditioned since childhood not to tattle. I also didn't want to look like a bored civilian trying to play a cop. Now that I think about it, I really shouldn't have been ambivalent about it at all, that guy was most likely not even in the zip code of 0.08.
Did you use racial profiling? Then the tattle is illegal.
Quote from: HVC on August 21, 2009, 10:22:31 PM
Slargos is gonna be pissed :P
Not at all. People who are intoxicated enough to be unable to stay in one lane have no business on the road.
I see a lot of these things but the difference in Scandieweenia is that there's little to no point in calling the police unless you've witnessed an actual crash or maybe a roadside murder-rape since there's no way in hell they're actually going to send one of the few available cars on the report of a fucking civilian that "some dude" is "driving erratically".
Quote from: Slargos on August 22, 2009, 12:01:54 AM
Not at all. People who are intoxicated enough to be unable to stay in one lane have no business on the road.
I see a lot of these things but the difference in Scandieweenia is that there's little to no point in calling the police unless you've witnessed an actual crash or maybe a roadside murder-rape since there's no way in hell they're actually going to send one of the few available cars on the report of a fucking civilian that "some dude" is "driving erratically".
I'm actually surprised that NJ troopers were so quick and on the ball. I very rarely see them on Garden State Parkway, with or without the flashing lights, and yet somehow at least one of them turned up in a matter of minutes to nab a specific car. To me it looks like finding a needle in a haystack. I was very impressed.
They must have thought you was white folks.
Quote from: DGuller on August 21, 2009, 11:17:43 PM
I knew I was in the right to report the driver, but I wasn't sure how "cool" was it to do
The world would be a lot better place if people worried more about doing what's right, and less about what's cool.
Quote from: DGuller on August 21, 2009, 11:17:43 PM
t I wasn't sure how "cool" was it to do so,
Non-criminals actually think that way? :huh:
What did the operator say when you said I'm on the Parkway and I've seen this guy driving goofy?
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 22, 2009, 01:20:16 AM
What did the operator say when you said I'm on the Parkway and I've seen this guy driving goofy?
The 911 operator transferred me to state troopers. The trooper on the phone asked me a set of questions. Where I was, where he was, describe the car, tell the license plate number if I saw it, asked for my name and phone number, and finally asked me about what I saw that made me think he was driving erratically. The last thing he told me was to stay away from his car.
Quote from: Barrister on August 22, 2009, 01:11:59 AM
Quote from: DGuller on August 21, 2009, 11:17:43 PM
t I wasn't sure how "cool" was it to do so,
Non-criminals actually think that way? :huh:
Why not? I don't smoke pot, but I've been in the presence of people smoking pot countless times. I did not report them to police, and I'm sure majority of people would consider it highly lame to do so.
Snitch.
Quote from: DGuller on August 22, 2009, 02:02:00 AM
Quote from: Admiral Yi on August 22, 2009, 01:20:16 AM
What did the operator say when you said I'm on the Parkway and I've seen this guy driving goofy?
The 911 operator transferred me to state troopers. The trooper on the phone asked me a set of questions. Where I was, where he was, describe the car, tell the license plate number if I saw it, asked for my name and phone number, and finally asked me about what I saw that made me think he was driving erratically. The last thing he told me was to stay away from his car.
:unsure: Then the line went dead?
"-Sir, please open the trunk for me. What's this? Oh my God! Noo!! Ffjnmnngh! *gunshots* ... If anyone is receiving this... *cough* stay away from the car. For the love of God stay away from the car!!" :cthulu:
Quote from: DGuller on August 22, 2009, 02:26:56 AM
Be quiet, or I'll call INS.
INS was absorbed into DHS. :contract:
Quote from: Barrister on August 22, 2009, 01:11:59 AM
Quote from: DGuller on August 21, 2009, 11:17:43 PM
t I wasn't sure how "cool" was it to do so,
Non-criminals actually think that way? :huh:
Unfortunately, yeah.
There's enough assholes driving in New Jersey that drunk ones are just overkill. You made a good decision.
Quote from: DGuller on August 21, 2009, 11:17:43 PM
Thanks for your opinions. I knew I was in the right to report the driver, but I wasn't sure how "cool" was it to do so, since I was conditioned since childhood not to tattle.
Tattling is telling on someone to get them in trouble. Being responsible is telling on someone because they or someone else might be in danger by that person's actions.
You did good. :)
Quote from: DGuller on August 21, 2009, 11:17:43 PM
Thanks for your opinions. I knew I was in the right to report the driver, but I wasn't sure how "cool" was it to do so, since I was conditioned since childhood not to tattle. I also didn't want to look like a bored civilian trying to play a cop. Now that I think about it, I really shouldn't have been ambivalent about it at all, that guy was most likely not even in the zip code of 0.08.
I thought Russians were conditioned to tattle. Also NARC was a great game.
Quote from: merithyn on August 22, 2009, 02:17:20 PM
Quote from: DGuller on August 21, 2009, 11:17:43 PM
Thanks for your opinions. I knew I was in the right to report the driver, but I wasn't sure how "cool" was it to do so, since I was conditioned since childhood not to tattle.
Tattling is telling on someone to get them in trouble. Being responsible is telling on someone because they or someone else might be in danger by that person's actions.
You did good. :)
How often have your kids been beaten up again?
Quote from: CountDeMoney on August 23, 2009, 08:59:41 AM
How often have your kids been beaten up again?
Never. Remember, my kids travel in packs. Even the dazzling urbanites give them a wide berth.
Quote from: merithyn on August 23, 2009, 09:27:04 AM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on August 23, 2009, 08:59:41 AM
How often have your kids been beaten up again?
Never. Remember, my kids travel in packs. Even the dazzling urbanites give them a wide berth.
Could they beat up Spellus? 3rd graders took him down once.
Quote from: Ed Anger on August 23, 2009, 09:28:13 AM
Could they beat up Spellus? 3rd graders took him down once.
I think just the baby could take him down. She's 10 now, and quite the scrapper, though she may worry about breaking a nail.
Even I think you did good, DG. :p
I don't think I'd smoke pot in front of Barrister Boy, though.
Quote from: Ideologue on August 23, 2009, 01:20:54 PM
Even I think you did good, DG. :p
I don't think I'd smoke pot in front of Barrister Boy, though.
I would ask you not to. It's just awkward with my current job, although I have been around pot smokers before.
Captain Buzzkill.
Where you at again Meri? I think you're down the street or so from me now if I recall. :)
Oh that's right! You've moved to town!
I'll PM you my info. Coffee on Tuesday? :)
Quote from: merithyn on August 23, 2009, 10:02:01 PM
Oh that's right! You've moved to town!
I'll PM you my info. Coffee on Tuesday? :)
Alci, no! She'll eat you alive!
Quote from: jimmy olsen on August 23, 2009, 10:04:08 PM
Alci, no! She'll eat you alive!
<_<
You survived well enough.
I never report anyone, unless I am directly involved in an accident.
Quote from: merithyn on August 23, 2009, 10:07:39 PM
Quote from: jimmy olsen on August 23, 2009, 10:04:08 PM
Alci, no! She'll eat you alive!
<_<
You survived well enough.
I saw you eying me. We all know no young man is safe with you. :contract:
Quote from: Barrister on August 23, 2009, 01:51:53 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on August 23, 2009, 01:20:54 PM
Even I think you did good, DG. :p
I don't think I'd smoke pot in front of Barrister Boy, though.
I would ask you not to. It's just awkward with my current job, although I have been around pot smokers before.
:p I haven't smoked pot in years. Never liked it.
Hell, I have considered taking pictures of license plates of people who do not slow down near the pedestrian crossings in my area. Of course you did the right thing.
Btw, ever since I've started living in the city center, within walking/commuting distance from all places I need to go, I have adopted a "death-to-car-owners" policy. :P
Quote from: Martinus on August 24, 2009, 02:07:55 AM
Hell, I have considered taking pictures of license plates of people who do not slow down near the pedestrian crossings in my area. Of course you did the right thing.
Btw, ever since I've started living in the city center, within walking/commuting distance from all places I need to go, I have adopted a "death-to-car-owners" policy. :P
Too bad for you in the contest between driver and pedestrian, the driver always wins. :P
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on August 24, 2009, 02:10:34 AM
Quote from: Martinus on August 24, 2009, 02:07:55 AM
Hell, I have considered taking pictures of license plates of people who do not slow down near the pedestrian crossings in my area. Of course you did the right thing.
Btw, ever since I've started living in the city center, within walking/commuting distance from all places I need to go, I have adopted a "death-to-car-owners" policy. :P
Too bad for you in the contest between driver and pedestrian, the driver always wins. :P
Not in the court. :P
Quote from: Martinus on August 24, 2009, 06:20:06 PM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on August 24, 2009, 02:10:34 AM
Quote from: Martinus on August 24, 2009, 02:07:55 AM
Hell, I have considered taking pictures of license plates of people who do not slow down near the pedestrian crossings in my area. Of course you did the right thing.
Btw, ever since I've started living in the city center, within walking/commuting distance from all places I need to go, I have adopted a "death-to-car-owners" policy. :P
Too bad for you in the contest between driver and pedestrian, the driver always wins. :P
Not in the court. :P
You are on trial in the court of world affairs.
Quote from: Martinus on August 24, 2009, 06:20:06 PM
Not in the court. :P
If they end up in court, it just means that the driver didn't win by a big enough margin.
Quote from: DGuller on August 22, 2009, 12:11:09 AM
I very rarely see them on Garden State Parkway, with or without the flashing lights
And, in the most expected of ironies, I saw one with the flashing lights on my next trip out of Atlantic City. In my mirror. :face:
He claimed to have paced me going 80+ in 65, which was BS, as I was doing 77 on cruise control. He only gave me a warning, so I guess I can't complain.
Quote from: DGuller on August 21, 2009, 10:11:46 PM
What does Languish think? Was it acceptable for me to report the guy to police, and probably get him in a lot of trouble if he was indeed drunk? Or should I always just mind my own business in such situations?
Thanks a lot pal. Cause of you, I'm in jail now. :cry:
No, seriously. You did the right thing. The guy is trouble. Good job. :cheers: