Law Dispatcher

In this day of “me-ism”, the lack of common courstey in driving is very apparent.  Such actions enrage other drivers and cause situations that can be deadly.  911 centers all over the country are bombarded with reckless driver calls.  Although it is virtually impossible for law enforcement to react to all these calls, there is a concerted effort made to at least let the officers in that particualar area know about it.

If you think that a driver who is driving recklessly could cause potential harm to another person, perhaps it is helpful if you call the local law enforcement center and let them know.  They will need the following information:  the location where this is occuring, the type of vehicle to include the make, model and color, the tag number of the vehicle, the direction in which the vehicle is travelling with updates given to the calltaker on a regular basis.  If you can obtain a brief description of the driver, that is helpful also.    The calltaker will want to know if you are going to continue to follow and if so, what kind of vehicle are you driving (to include make, model, color and tag).  The calltaker should be able to inform you if an officer is enroute to the situation.  There are times when no officers are available and it is advised that the caller pull over and wait for an officer to respond to them.  Some counties have hotlines available to call if you know the tag number of the offending vehicle.  It is a recording that you can leave the tag number on and they in turn will send the registered owner a letter stating that their vehicle has been spotted driving recklessly.  Small consolation to the driver who was nearly killed by the reckless one, but still better than nothing at all.  If a LEO does respond to the situation and he spots the reckless driver and has them pull over, you as the caller should also pull over behind the LEO.  Stay about 100 yards to officers rear and in your vehicle.  DO NOT get out of your vehicle.  The calltaker should advise the dispatcher that you have pulled over and will talk to the officer.

Not all reckless drivers are drunk or doing drugs.  Some have serious medical conditions that come to fruition while the driver is driving.  There is the occasional driver that is just not paying close attention to their driving or is distracted by other people or things.  It is in your best interest to be an alert driver and react to others in a cautious and courteous manner.

Please note:  You are required to follow all traffic laws despite what other drivers are doing.  If a reckless driver speeds through a red light and you are trying to follow them, you must obey the law and stop.  THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS.

Use your common sense when it comes to dealing with this kind of sitaution.  If the driver is so reckless that they are bound to cause injury or death with their carelessness, then determine for yourself if it is indeed worth tying up a 911 line for.  If you’re unsure, ask the 911 operator.  They are willing to let you know if you should call another number.