Have you ever called 9-1-1 to report a possibly drunk driver? I did last Monday while driving to San Diego.
I wish I could have stayed on the freeway to see if the Highway Patrol stopped this driver, but I soon exited.
The swerving driver was behind the wheel of a huge Bud Light truck. I toyed with the idea that 9-1-1 might think I was prank calling.
Did I do the right thing? Yes.
Even if the driver was sleepy at the wheel, or if he had taken drowsy-producing medicine, he still was capable of doing great harm on the road.
After all, if my wife had not alerted me to his swerving into my lane, we could have become fatality statistics.
After I gave the truck’s location and license plate number to the Highway Patrol desk woman, she asked for my name and phone number. I meekly said, “How do I know that driver won’t come after me for reporting him?”
Her response was that all information is kept private. Relief.
BTW, after the driver almost hit us, I confirmed his inebriated-like swerving in my rearview mirror. Yes. He was a danger on the road.
What will happen to the driver? And do I really care? I suppose I did care since I was thinking about the driver’s children and, how, if he lost his job, they would be supported.
Would he get off with a warning if it was his first time? What if it was his third offense? Would the three-strike rule kick in? Would he spend 20 years in jail?
You know what? I did the right thing. I may have saved my life and that of my wife. I may have saved the lives of other drivers on that freeway.
Why do I hope that you, my readers, and my fellow citizens, will be as quick as I was to report a danger to you or to others?
Perhaps it is because I want to live in a safer world, where individuals take responsibility for their actions. I want to prolong your lives and mine.
Mr. Ebsen may be contacted at robertebsen51@gmail.com
