What should I have done?

[tiger_rascal]

I was driving on the interstate, I-77, earlier today and a car, driven by a very old man, almost ran me off the road! He was in the right lane and I was passing him in the left lane. For no reason he started to change lanes, but nobody was in front of him to pass. I was right beside him and I started beeping my horn and had to go off the road a little. I sped up to try and get passed him and then he noticed me and got back in the right lane. He was so close to my car, within inches. It was very scary and Im still a little shaken by it.

I dismissed it as an old man not paying attention and got off at my exit. Then I thought, what if he does that again? Then, about 10 minutes later I got back on at that same entrance/exit area and an ambulance zoomed by. I hope and pray that man did not cause an accident.

Then I got to thinking. When something like that happens, should I get behind the car, get the license number and call 911?

[db44]

First off, there's no reason to think it would have been the same guy, right? I mean anywhere I've lived, ambulances are normal as are bad drivers.

Taking the info would have done nothing. If you saw the accident and knew it was him, you could have pulled over and told the police then and there. If you wanted to take the info and report the guy just for the heck of it, best of luck... I don't think anyone would pay attention, and if so, there's nothing anyone could do.

[tiger_rascal]

But I think you should be able to call the local police if someone is driving 70mph on the interstate and are changing lanes for no reason and run people off the road. Its dangerous and I think more needs to be done to stop dangerous drivers. What if this was not a one time thing? What if he does this often? He did not even have any reason to change lanes and he did not even look to see if anyone was in that lane.

I think we need a law that makes everyone take a drivers test again and have their hearing and eye sight checked at the age of 60, 70, 80, 90 and after 100 you are no longer permitted to drive.




Its just frustrating. Bad drivers. It ruined my entire day.

[DoubleEdgeSword]

Be thankful you don't live in Florida, Chad. Stuff like that happens every day, several times a day. To drive here, if you're not a defensive driver, you're driving a dinged up car to show for it.

[tiger_rascal]

Come to think of it, they were from out of state. :mad:

[DoubleEdgeSword]

Pretty much everyone in Florida this time of year is from out of state. lol

[profoundfool]

I think we need a law that makes everyone take a drivers test again and have their hearing and eye sight checked at the age of 60, 70, 80, 90 and after 100 you are no longer permitted to drive.



I say it needs to be done every 10 years until you are fifty and from then on every five years. People's eyesight can worsen even though you're not 60. I am a prime example of that.

[tiger_rascal]

I agree with that.

[db44]

They do have their eyesight checked here.

Do you realize if the police acted on such calls, if they were made, there wouldn't be any time to fight crime or protect the public?

I wouldn't be against mandatory cutoff age for drivers, but you try and tell older people that, especially if they served int he armed forces: I fought for my freedom to drive! It's been suggested before, and that has been the response.

[profoundfool]

They do have their eyesight checked here.

Do you realize if the police acted on such calls, if they were made, there wouldn't be any time to fight crime or protect the public?

I wouldn't be against mandatory cutoff age for drivers, but you try and tell older people that, especially if they served int he armed forces: I fought for my freedom to drive! It's been suggested before, and that has been the response.

Obviously, not often enough. People in DC drive as if they've stolen the vehicle (and maybe they have). However, the permitted alcohol level in your blood is much higher in the US than here. You'd lose your license and risk being thrown in jail here for what isn't even considered a DUI where you guys are at.

[tiger_rascal]

Dave, you are forgetting where I live. The crime rate might be 1%, for the entire county. I think the police have nothing but time, however, you never see them when there is something like that happening.

[db44]

You also probably have a much smaller police force than in other cities, and yet they have more things to keep their eyes on.

[evildoc]

It is possible to call it in as a careless & reckless driver. I hear calls all the time in my city where a concerned citizen calls in a C & R driver. Most of the time it is someone doing 80-90 mph on I-85. You never can tell what the problem might be. He could have been tired and fell asleep for a second or a medical condition could cause him to lose control. I say if you think the driver is a danger to himself or others call it in and see if the HP or local police can find them.

[profoundfool]

It is possible to call it in as a careless & reckless driver. I hear calls all the time in my city where a concerned citizen calls in a C & R driver. Most of the time it is someone doing 80-90 mph on I-85. You never can tell what the problem might be. He could have been tired and fell asleep for a second or a medical condition could cause him to lose control. I say if you think the driver is a danger to himself or others call it in and see if the HP or local police can find them.

Great advice! I'd do the same thing I think, if I could manage to make the call without risking my own safety on the road. (I don't drive and talk on my cell at the same time)

[tiger_rascal]

Actually, Dave, I think our police team is a decent size for such a small town and county.

In fact, I witnessed a situation where a man was a danger to himself, it was at my place of work after hours. They called me to come and unlock the door. The man was trying to hang himself. When I got there I was shocked. I expected to see at least 2, maybe 3, police officers, but the entire department was standing around talking about how crazy the guy must be to try and kill himself. I actually asked if it was necessary to have 12 to 15 police officers for such a call. The response I got was that they were all bored and had nothing better to do. I was like, ok, whatever, and I unlocked the door. The guy was ok, thank goodness.