Most people have been in a driving situation where another car cuts you off, gets too close to you, or makes rude gestures to you while you’re driving. But how do you know when you should report someone’s driving? If it seems like a safety hazard, it’s probably worth reporting. Let’s go over some of the basics you’ll need to know about reporting a bad driver.
Is it Reportable?
The first thing you need to do is make sure the incident and driver are worth reporting. If not, you may be wasting your time by putting it toward something you can’t fix. A few things you probably can’t report a driver for include:
- Cutting you off
- Making rude remarks or gestures
- Not using a turn signal
- Driving too close to you
In some cases, you may be able to report these things, but it’s unlikely. On the other hand, some things you should report other drivers for are:
- Threatening you physically
- Calling or texting while driving
- Running a stop sign or a red light
- Hitting you, other cars, or road signs
The general rule of thumb is that if the driver seems dangerous, it’s best to report them to keep you and others on the road safe.
Safely Get as Much Information as Possible
When you report someone for their bad driving, you’ll want to get as much information about them and their vehicle as possible. That said, when you’re taking down their information, make sure to include:
- The make and model of their vehicle
- License plate number
- Description of the driver and any passengers
- Any other defining features of the vehicle
Keep in mind that if you are alone in your vehicle, pull over before you start writing down any of this information. Using your phone or driving while you are distracted can be extremely dangerous for you and everyone else on the road. If you are with another passenger, ask them if they would write down the information instead.
Report Using an App or Website
The local police station can help you with reporting a dangerous driver. You may even be able to use their website or some other app to report a dangerous driver. Do an internet search for “How to report a dangerous driver in [city]” and figure out the best way to do so. If your local police force does not have a website to report dangerous drivers, you may want to call the local station using the non-emergency line. When you do this, you’ll want to include as much information as possible.
Call 911 if it’s Serious
Of course, if the driver is extremely actively dangerous, you’ll want to call 911. You should avoid this method unless the driver is a serious danger to others on the road. Some of the things that warrant an immediate 911 call include:
- Weaving in and out of lanes
- Showing a weapon or pointing it at other drivers
- Going 30+ miles over the speed limit
- Driving up against cars and hitting them
Don’t flood the 911 line if the driver is not doing any serious damage or harm to you and others. However, if they are dangerous, make sure to call 911 to report the potential issue.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking to stay safe on the road, the PeopleFinders blog can help you. Simply look in the Safety section to learn more about staying safe on the road and in general.
