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Observed a drunk driver

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by Bretsuaz48, Jul 8, 2010.

  1. Jul 8, 2010 at 11:28 AM
    #1
    Bretsuaz48

    Bretsuaz48 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So I am on my way to work. I am in central Phoenix, and its about 7:00 a.m. As I approach an intersection, I have a green light. However, there is a car stopped for the green light and not moving. I slow down, thinking there must be an emergency vehicle or some other reason as to why this car is not moving. Nope, nothing. She is awake and just sitting there. Finally, she proceeds through the intersection.

    As we travel East down Thomas Road, this woman is in the fast lane driving very slow, and talking on her cell phone. I noticed that she was having trouble staying in her lane, touching the white lines on both sides. So I start observing her more closely. At one point she pulls up to a stop light, and is so far into the other lane that her two tires were completely over the line, and there was not even enough room for a car to pull up beside her. All of us other drivers were staying behind her and away from her and were looking at each other not believing what we were seeing.

    At this point, I decided that she needed to be stopped before someone ends up getting hurt. I called Phoenix PD, who were very professional. Next thing I know, I see a cruiser coming up from behind with lights on trying to get people to move out of the way. We all move over, and he lights her up. They operator asked me to stop as well, that they wanted to ask me some questions.

    Next thing I know, there is about 5 cruisers surrounding this womans vehicle. One of the officers comes over to me, and asks what I had observed of her driving. He tells me to wait there and he will be back. When he returns, I see the other officers administering a field sobriety test. I ask if she is intoxicated, and he says no. She is a nurse and just finished a 36 hour shift!

    I apologized to the officer. He said don't, the law says any impairment and driving while that tired is just as dangerous as driving drunk. He also mentioned that there is legislation in the works regarding how many hours a doctor or nurse can work, that they see this alot. What is most scary, is that this woman could not possibly have made an important medical decision if she had to.

    Some may criticize me for calling the police, but I would do it again in a heartbeat if I suspected someone was intoxicated and driving. Too often, its the innocent person who is injured or killed.

    This incident happened last week, but this article made me think about it today.

    http://www.azcentral.com/community/...tml?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
     
  2. Jul 8, 2010 at 11:32 AM
    #2
    sioux_hockey_guy

    sioux_hockey_guy Well-Known Member

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    She could kill someone just as easily as a drunk driver. You def did the right thing.
     
  3. Jul 8, 2010 at 11:32 AM
    #3
    RPain

    RPain Well-Known Member

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    haha I would feel bad but all in all it was the right thing to do
     
  4. Jul 8, 2010 at 11:33 AM
    #4
    CRfofiddyF

    CRfofiddyF Well-Known Member

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    Do not feel bad! I would've done exactly the same ! She could've made the decision to take a nap at the hospital or in her car before heading home!
    Good call!! You probably saved someone's life today!
     
  5. Jul 8, 2010 at 11:35 AM
    #5
    andrew

    andrew Well-Known Member

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    Nicely done, she was certainly reckless and there's no excuse for that. Wow, 5 cruisers though in that short of time? Arizona really has their law enforcement up to snuff. I applaud this state.
     
  6. Jul 8, 2010 at 11:35 AM
    #6
    stick114

    stick114 Active Member

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    You dirty ratt. LOL...JK





    You did the right thing
     
  7. Jul 8, 2010 at 11:37 AM
    #7
    JDMcompliant

    JDMcompliant Professional Amateur

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    they probably thought she was mexican.
     
  8. Jul 8, 2010 at 11:39 AM
    #8
    dangerbird

    dangerbird Well-Known Member

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    Good job, how many deaths would have been prevented if more people made a call. She could have just as easily been someone who needed medical assistance and required help.
     
  9. Jul 8, 2010 at 11:42 AM
    #9
    BakoTruck

    BakoTruck Well-Known Member

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    :rolleyes:
     
  10. Jul 8, 2010 at 11:49 AM
    #10
    mreimann

    mreimann Well-Known Member

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    nah, the police just don't have anything else to do at 7 am on a thursday:p
     
  11. Jul 8, 2010 at 11:51 AM
    #11
    crf69

    crf69 scraping my emblems off my plasti-dip

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    ummm yeah
    was she hot?
     
  12. Jul 8, 2010 at 1:40 PM
    #12
    Bretsuaz48

    Bretsuaz48 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    No, she wasn't hot. lol

    I really did at first feel bad. But the more I thought it about, and how erratic her driving was, it was the right thing to do. It was really bad.

    Maybe this will make her think twice before getting behind the wheel this tired. She may not have even realized that she was really that tired.

    On the phone, they did ask me alot of questions about the vehicle, driver, etc. I don't remember the exact wording, but they did ask about her ethnicity. I said she was Latino or Native American, but was not sure. Then they asked something to the effect of how dark her skin was. I didn't know what to say, I think I said "medium". :notsure:

    Phoenix PD was great, took the situation seriously, and acted very professionally. I was impressed.
     
  13. Jul 8, 2010 at 1:47 PM
    #13
    Andrew H

    Andrew H What is this "search" you speak of?

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    Crazy. I would have probably called as well.

    I know whats its like picking up extra shifts and getting off a busy 48 hour shift. I used to try and pick up extra shifts between my regular shifts, sometimes resulting in 72 hr shifts. Talk about a zombie afterwards.
     
  14. Jul 8, 2010 at 1:49 PM
    #14
    WTtoolman

    WTtoolman Facial bones colapse as I crack your skull in half

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    Good Job!! Rep coming your way! I've called in many a drunk driver!! I wouldn't hesitate to call in my mother if she were driving under the influence! Good thing she doesn't drink!
     
  15. Jul 8, 2010 at 1:49 PM
    #15
    jspadaro

    jspadaro Well-Known Member

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    I think you did the right thing, but I would still feel bad for her... A drunk driver is recklessly endangering others by going out and getting smashed, then getting behind the wheel.

    I'm sure this lady had no desire to work a 36-hour shift, and likely had no other way home. What else was she supposed to do? I guess she could sleep in her car, if it's safe. I think she didn't really do anything wrong per se, either, she is just the victim of a really bad shift at work.
     
  16. Jul 8, 2010 at 1:51 PM
    #16
    NAAC3TACO

    NAAC3TACO Middle aged member

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    You may of saved a life, including the life of someone whose job is to help save lives. :thumbsup:
     
  17. Jul 8, 2010 at 1:58 PM
    #17
    Silver06Taco

    Silver06Taco Well-Known Member

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    Nice job, you did good!
     
  18. Jul 8, 2010 at 2:05 PM
    #18
    DeeKay21

    DeeKay21 Lieutenant Dan.

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    Nope, you did nothing wrong and kudos for you for calling dispatch.;) To many people are killed and injured by drunk or impaired drivers so you did the right thing. Once in a blue moon it is sometimes a diabetic patient whos blood sugar is to low and it makes them seem intoxicated but there not. But they are just as dangerous as a drunk driver and if they are at that point, they need immediate medical attention anyways.:cool:
     
  19. Jul 8, 2010 at 2:23 PM
    #19
    solidcopy

    solidcopy High Speed, Low Drag

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    Did they cite her for anything?
     
  20. Jul 8, 2010 at 2:37 PM
    #20
    Dimonback

    Dimonback Well-Known Member

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    You did the right thing. Maybe she got an escort home to make sure no one was endangered.
     

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