What do we do?

[nortonh]

For the second time in 2 days I had the unpleasant experience of following an 'impaired' driver on Rt. 130 coming from Hilo around 8:30
A.M!! This jerk got off at Orchidland and turned into the wrong lane. No accident resulted BUT what can we do to keep these stoner/drunks from taking someone's life. It is really scary being behind these dorks.
Can we call the Police Dept w/ the tag number of the vehicle?
It's very frustrating! MAHALO!

[Guest]

Well the easiest solution would be to stay off the roads. [8D]

If that's not possible, just slow down or pull over and just let the driver keep driving erratically. You think it's scary being behind one... try driving in front of one trying to pass you.

DUI only becomes a felony in Hawaii if it involves vehicular homicide, and I doubt the cops would come a running if someone reported some one swerving on the road.

Are you sure the person was drunk? I know lot's of Stoned drivers that drive better when they are stoned then when they are sober.

Whatever you do... don't attempt to have contact with this driver or you may end up in a situation like Dirk faced.

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Lower your expectations and be ready for anything.

[mella l]

Why so dismissive?

Nortonh, I would call the police and give them the license number. If everyone did this the police might get a clue that some type of oversight and enforcement is necessary, and have some information to see if this is an escalating problem. These are dangerous people to them selves, child passengers, and the public at large. Driving impaired is equivalent to shooting into an assembled crowd.

Just my humble opinion. I've called in on just such an occasion to 911 and was thanked profusely.

mella l

[Guest]

quote:

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Originally posted by mella l

Why so dismissive?...

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Because the police can't do squat if they aren't in the area.

How do you prove what family member was driving the car, how can an officer prove that the offender wasn't drinking the second he got home (before the officer arrived)...etc?

The police are already over burdened by things as it is. If they were to come running every time someone was pissed off about someone's problem with other drivers... then our police would never be able to work on real crimes.

Many people in Hawaii are using Platewire to report bad drivers. []

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Lower your expectations and be ready for anything.

[Kapohocat]

Just like domestic violence, call each and every time.

[Hotzcatz]

Haven't you noticed Ken's Towing with their really wrecked cars and big "Don't drink and drive" signs by the side of the roads in conspicuous spots? Ken HATES drunk driving so every year around this time he puts these "signs" up. It is graduation time so now is a good time NOT to be driving on the roads. Things will mellow out in a couple weeks.

[topograph]

Here on Oahu, the police are taking seriously their pledge to increase vigilance in the Memorial Day to Labor Day period (the "drunk days of summer...") I know of 2 fellow boaters that have lost their licenses in the last 2 weeks; hopefully if it continues, more people will befriend designated driving buddies

[Carolann R]

At the County Building there are forms to fill out make, model, license number, type of incident or behavior...it's not something you have to just let happen.

Carrie

http://www.carrierojo.etsy.com
http://www.vintageandvelvet.blogspot.com

"Freedom has a scent like the top of a newborn baby's head..." U2

[Hawaiibound]

I would definately call it in. If for nothing else but that person's safety! Drinking or being intoxicated to a point that you are swerving (or at any point for that matter) while driving is a real problem, and I don't see how it's not a "real" crime when it puts our families' lifes at risk!

[mgeary]

Call 911 and report the impaired driver. You're right, Damon, you don't know where the cops are...they might be 5 miles away, but they might also be just at the next corner, very much ready and willing to pull over an impaired driver. If you don't place the phone call, I guarantee the cops won't respond.

The old story about people driving "better" while they're impaired, whether it's alcohol, marijuana, heroin, oxycontin, or acid, is absolute hogwash. It's like thinking you shoot better pool with a couple beers under your belt. The only thing "better" is the feeling inside your head. To outside observers, whether it's shooting pool or driving an automobile, there's a direct, proportional relationship between the amount of alcohol or drugs in your system, and the impairment with which you operate your vehicle or shoot pool. That's why it's called "driving under the influence", and that's why it's illegal in all 50 states and virtually every nation on the face of the planet. You're good at research, Damon, why don't you Google up some clinical studies on the efficacy of alcohol and marijuana on fine and gross motor skills, reaction times, coordination, and driving ability. Show me a peer-reviewed study, Damon, which says that marijuana improves driving skills and reduces reaction times.

Drunk driving sucks, drunk drivers need to be locked up. They're about as dangerous as somebody shooting a high-powered rifle in random directions in a suburban environment. They might not hit anybody, but is it worth the risk to allow it to happen? Call 911 if you see an impaired driver. I say that as somebody who goes out to scrape up the dead bodies and pry 'em out of the wreckage.

Aloha! ;-)