Would you report this?

[RandBlade]

I was just doing some midnight shopping for some dinner in our 24hr Tesco's when a very drunk guy came staggering over to Amanda and I asking us for something before realising neither of us were in Tesco's uniform, were picking out food carrying a shopping basket and generally don't work there. Laughed it off when the guy hobbled further away.

However was shocked later when I got to my car to see that guy get into the drivers side of his car and start swerving away across the car park.

I took a note of the licence plate number, parked back up and called 999 and reported him to the Police. No idea if the Police would have ever caught him though because he drove off before anyone got there (if anyone was going to bother).

What would you do in this situation?

[Loki]

Seems like a perfectly justifiable thing to do.

[littlelolligagged]

I've had the experience of being hit by a drunk driver before, I'd really rather not repeat it.

[Ominous Gamer]

Don't know what "parked back up" means, but it appears you did the minimum of what a decent human should have done.

[Aimless]

I think that was the right thing to do, and I hope it was of some use If I notice something like that then I hope I remember to call the police as well

[NGS]

You made the right call, Rand, I hope you weren't scared/worried too much.

[Angel_Mapper]

Of course I would have. What if he had killed someone?

[Dreadnaught]

Indeed, right call. Even if you had followed him down the road on the phone with the cops, would have been the right call. For his own safety, as well as others.

[']['ear]

Good call.

And it "Amanda and me." Object of the preposition.

[Loki]

And it's.

[littlelolligagged]

And it's.

Oh, how cute.

Icky wants to play grammar Nazi.

[NGS]

Ness already had dibs on regular Nazi.

[Knux897]

I can't think of a reason not to call the police. You may have prevented death or at the least expensive damage repairs to public or private property or injury that results in expensive hospital bills. Even if you were a selfish git, you could have called to prevent a car crash that might have extended your trip home by an incovient amount of time

[Nessus]

a) General Chat

2) How many drinks did you have before writing that poll

[Unheard Of]

You did the right thing. The guys was a clear danger to others. He's lucky you didn't shoot him in self-defense.

[RandBlade]

Got a call back from the Police today thanking me for reporting it, she said that the Police searched the area but never caught the guy.

I'm (pleasantly) surprised how unanimous people view this.

[GGT]

So much for all your cameras, huh.

Been in that spot once, actually followed the driver through town (weaving in the street) at a safe distance while my son talked to the dispatcher. The driver eventually parked his car, in front of a house, and apparently the police "knew who he was".

[Hazir]

a) General Chat

2) How many drinks did you have before writing that poll

a; agreed

2. you plan to call the police ?

[termite]

a) General Chat

2) How many drinks did you have before writing that poll

Indeed it is the clumsiest post Rand has made since his drunken uni student days.

[Timbuk2]

Though in many situations i am of the 'mind yer own' mindset, drink drivers should be reported without question.

A more difficult dilemma would perhaps be one which is being hotly debated at the moment in a car forum i'm a member of;

Would you also report the drunk if he got into his car, reclined the seat and went straight to sleep?

The offence (in the uk at least), is drunk in charge of a motor vehicle, which carries the same penalties as drink driving. If you are in a parked car with engine off and keys in your pocket, you are in charge of that vehicle and will be prosecuted if over the limit.

The police will always argue that tho the drunk's intention may be to sleep off the booze and not drive, drunk people do make poor decisions and may still drive off whilst over the limit at any point.

[termite]

Would you also report the drunk if he got into his car, reclined the seat and went straight to sleep?

The offence (in the uk at least), is drunk in charge of a motor vehicle, which carries the same penalties as drink driving. If you are in a parked car with engine off and keys in your pocket, you are in charge of that vehicle and will be prosecuted if over the limit.

No I wouldn't report that, the law may see the guy sleeping it off in his car as a criminal but I don't.

Does that particular law differentiate between seats - if the person is in the back seat or passenger seat is he/she still in charge of the motor vehicle?

The police will always argue that tho the drunk's intention may be to sleep off the booze and not drive, drunk people do make poor decisions and may still drive off whilst over the limit at any point.

I don't like the premise here, you are essentially prosecuting someone for a crime they "may" commit - minority report?

[RandBlade]

Indeed it is the clumsiest post Rand has made since his drunken uni student days.

???

I was stone cold sober

No I wouldn't report that, the law may see the guy sleeping it off in his car as a criminal but I don't.

Does that particular law differentiate between seats - if the person is in the back seat or passenger seat is he/she still in charge of the motor vehicle?

I think so. I think you're ok in the back seat, but in trouble if you're in the drivers seat. I have a problem with that conviction, if you're genuinely not driving what's the problem? A car can be a warm place to sleep. Having an alcohol coviction can affect you for years too. I hire drivers and can't hire people with a drink driving conviction for 5 years afterwards even if the ban was lifted 4+ years ago. Anyone who gets a conviction would pretty much automatically get fired. Good if it's for genuine drink driving, but pretty shitty for drunk sleeping.

[GGT]

Over here it's called Drunk Driving. Short for Drunken. This Drink Driving sounds strange. I drink while I drive, it's perfectly legal, the car even has a cup holder for my drink. Water, Diet Coke.

Also, over here, there's nothing wrong (let alone illegal) about popping the seat back into sleep mode, as long as we're parked in a legal parking zone. It's encouraged on the highway, we have deep shoulders just for that purpose. Better than driving drowsy. Or maybe you Brits would call that drow driving.

[EyeKhan]

I was just doing some midnight shopping for some dinner in our 24hr Tesco's when a very drunk guy came staggering over to Amanda and I asking us for something before realising neither of us were in Tesco's uniform, were picking out food carrying a shopping basket and generally don't work there. Laughed it off when the guy hobbled further away.

However was shocked later when I got to my car to see that guy get into the drivers side of his car and start swerving away across the car park.

I took a note of the licence plate number, parked back up and called 999 and reported him to the Police. No idea if the Police would have ever caught him though because he drove off before anyone got there (if anyone was going to bother).

What would you do in this situation?

I would have reported it. I think its pretty cut and dry. I wish Cain wasn't on holiday - it would be interesting to get his perspective.

Over here it's called Drunk Driving. Short for Drunken. This Drink Driving sounds strange. I drink while I drive, it's perfectly legal, the car even has a cup holder for my drink. Water, Diet Coke.

In certain states you can get a beer at a fast food drive up window. Nevada? Kinda funny if there's no passenger in the car, eh?