Since I’m way to lazy to type it all out again, I’m going to C&P from #straightdope, since I just went through the whole story there.
<slvrfire> So I was driving today (in a 55mph zone) and I called the cops to report a reckless driver (because, god damn it, I fucking HATE stupid people). So I was talking to a Trooper all, “68… No, 72… Shit, we’ve reached 80mph” The cops’s like “I don’t want you to get hurt or arrested, so do NOT exceed the speed limit” I’m all, “I have to or I’ll never keep up with him!” [He asked me for the make, model, color, and year of my car too, so I’m guessing they wouldn’t have pulled me over anyway.]
<EnderW24> what was he doing that was reckless?
<slvrfire> Well, he passed me in a NO PASSING zone while there was oncoming traffic, forcing the oncoming traffic onto the shoulder, at the same time forcing myself and two other cars on my side of the road onto the shoulder, not to mention speeding.
<slvrfire> And my brother’s like “Dude, you are SUCH a narc” No I am not. I’m a fucking hero, as far as I’m concerned. That stupid fuck came real close to killing a few people today.
<EnderW24> So did they nab him?
<Doobieous> go silvy!
<slvrfire> No, I couldn’t follow him anymore because A) I wasn’t going that way, and B) He knew I was following him and I’m not about to put myself at that kind of risk. The cops ran his plates and went to his house. Of course he denied it. The State Trooper called me and told me that I had a choice. I could have him cite this guy, which would mean I’d have to appear in court (and it’d be my word against his) or he could just blow the guy off and tell the cops to keep their eyes open for him. The cop was like, “You know, he was a total dick to me. I know he’d fight this in court.” And I dont’ feel like going to trial right now. But he thanked me repeatedly and told me not to be discouraged from making calls like that (since the dude didn’t get in trouble). But, like I said, I’ve caused a few arrests in my time. I’m not discouraged.
Yeah. I really do think it’s very helpful, considering that I have personally alerted police to like half a dozen drunk drivers (not to mention just plain stupid people) that, given another hour of driving time, could have EASILY killed a family or themselves.
So am I just a narc, or do other people do this?