Should people w/cell phones call 911 when they see

[Deja Q]

wrongdoings going on?

I've often seen:

A speeder drive recklessly on the freeway, weaving around everybody at 80+ MPH. I couldn't get the license plate down.

Cops use their lights to illegally go through red lights.

SUVs go through red lights, with a state patrol car right there watching the whole thing but then not going after them (so maybe Minnesota doesn't need revenue? :shrug: I wrote down his car's ID # though...)

Not too often, but it's to the point where I want to be proactive.

[iorg]

1. About 5 years ago

I was driving on the highway and a car sped by going the wrong direction. It was spring break, so that's something to call in. Otherwise not so much.

[bigwillq]

2. Call the PD, not 911 for something like that

911 should only be for more serious accidents or emergencies.

I know one can say "Well if I call 911 for a speeder, it could prevent an accident" but keep it for emergencies those people are sadly busy enough.

[Deja Q]

5. But if I'm driving and someone is being reckless,

taking 5 minutes to find and call a 7 digit number might be inappropriate. Especially for that speeder from 2 weeks ago. Had that guy lost control of his car (which looked like it was mid-90s), real hell would have broken loose...

I can get the # in advance and if they tell me to use 911, then I would... but I'm going to be proactive. I may as well be part of a solution, even if it's not the best solution.

[bigwillq]

6. Well find a number of a local PD

and program it into your cell phone. Call that number and they will alert the PD of the city you're in at that time and they will send the help when necessary.

[DemoTex]

3. I called 911 in Shreveport last week.

I was coming into Shreveport from Texas on I-20 in a driving rainstorm. Between the airport and downtown I noticed a couple of cars in the left lane ahead of me swerve suddenly. Then I had to swerve to keep from killing a man. He was so drunk (apparently) that he could barely walk. He lurched and reeled from the shoulder (between the left lane and the concrete barrier wall) into the left lane several times that I saw. I called 911.

Later that night, from my motel room in Meridian, Mississippi, I called the Shreveport police non-emergency number. The drunk was in the lock-up. Sleeping it off. What a lucky guy.

[bigwillq]

4. That's a good reason to call 911

For one, it was dangerous for driving.
Second, that guys life was seriously in danger.
Good job.
You used our emergency contact properly.

You get a '*'