OP might've even stopped aside to make the call, she shouldn't be such a bitch

The call taker was correct in asking the OP to not follow the driver, solely for the OP's safety. But, coming from a former 911 dispatcher, the OP being on their phone while driving should be the least of their worries and they should've worried more about getting officers out looking for the drunk driver. Someone needs to be put back into training.

Op could have been using Bluetooth.

#48, I agree. I used to live in California and as long as the driver is not using any hand held devices, he/she can make whatever calls he/she wants.

Plate number, make/model, direction they are heading. Pretty much all they need, can pull over or use an earpiece for that.

52, op may have been using an ear piece though. Just because someone calls you while driving, it doesn't automatically mean they're holding their phone to their ear. I'm not sure why the operator would automatically assume that op was driving and holding the phone. Now a days, I would actually assume the opposite; if assume they were talking with an ear piece or the Bluetooth was built into the car.

96 they actually sound different. It's generally more difficult to understand people when the phone isn't used as a handset

That's ridiculous. People are ass munchers. *Practice safe text, use commas... And never miss a period.*

you know what else is ridiculous, you being a grammar Nazi on FML

*You know what else is ridiculous? You being a grammar Nazi on FML. * Missed the question mark. Some people never learn. Tsk tsk tsk.

wow your on a whole different level. I apologize for not having time to look over my comments since I'm at work. but just to make this clear if you were in front of me you'd probably be sleeping in a few seconds

OMG the blunder!!!! Its *YOU'RE* My brain is bleeding. Please walk away in shame and prohibit yourself from further slaughtering the English language. -issued in public interest.

By the way English is not my first language. you might be able to tell what my first is by my last name Mr.Smarty-pants

FML, FML.

FML, FML.

i don't know what you're saying about the license grade bc i don't live in the states, but i think you're right about the way he shouldn't be blamed for such a small matter when the drunk driver could do so much more harm to others on the road.

In California, it's illegal to hold your phone while driving and talking, EXCEPT in an emergency to call 911. So op was not technically breaking any laws.

What if the OP had Bluetooth? I know I have that in my car so I wouldn't be holding a phone while calling anyone.

Your focus tends to decrease 20-33% if you are using a phone while driving. I read that in my drivers manual because I recently received my permit.

Where I'm from if you're 18 you can legally use your phone while driving. Younger than that and you can get in trouble for it.

It's illegal to even touch your phone in Oregon. If you get pulled over and a cop thinks you might have been on your phone, they'll ask to see your call history and texts to see when they were made. I'm not sure about emergency situations though.

In the UK it's illegal to use your phone whilst driving, you either receive a fine, points on your license or both. At least 70% of drivers still use it though, and it's infuriating watching them almost rear end me in traffic because their phone is more important.

Here, it's only secondary to get in trouble for using your phone. Police can't pull you over for it, but if there is an accident and you were on the phone, you'll be charged for it.

In Alberta, Canada there is a distracted driving law, however those calling 911 in an emergency or to report an impaired driver are EXEMPT from the law.

driving on the phone has proven to be just as dangerous as driving drunk

Studies have shown driving distracted by a phone call can be just as dangerous as driving drunk. That's why in some states you can be fined even if you're using a hands-free system. I'm a security officer, so I have one-touch dialing for local police in the four counties I work in and travel through, state police, and 911. I recently caved and set up voice recognition on my phone so I can just tap my earpiece and say what I need. I've reported more potential DUIs than I can count, both professionally and on the way to or from somewhere. They always ask if I'm following (when they are on a main road and I'm going the same way it's not really following) but they never complain about me using the phone to make the call, even when I call the police directly instead of 911.

just because it can happen doesnt mean it isnt less dangerous. a drunk driver is obviously more of a risk, and the op tried to be of help

the drunk driver in the fml is ALREADY driving badly, so bad that someone had to call 911. so OBVIOUSLY the drunk driver was wayyyyy more at risk of hitting someone in this scenario. obviously cell phones are distracting, but compared to someone whos currently swerving and making it blantently obvious that someone is on danger, its worth the risk of a phone for a few secs, to catch someone who is definatly going go do damage. if the drunk driver was in control of the vehicle enough to not be noticabe by people on the road, then maybe we can talk about the chances of crashes being close between the two. but im not gonna let you blame op for doing the right thing

if he pulled over he wouldnt be able to tell the authorities where the driver currently is.

i personally would have had to pull over, i cannot multitask well enough to drive and talk, like most people. im just saying op shouldnt get in sooo much shit, a "thanks for trying to do the right thing" should be in place, even if he should have pulled over

#32, that driver is either a shitty driver or a liar. It's not that hard to check a phone. Yes it distracts you. I won't argue that. But where I live it's perfectly legal to be on your phone as long as you're not texting. And while I see a lot of accidents caused by texting, I see a lot caused by drunks and people just generally not paying attention. There are always distractions. Music is a distraction. Turning on your AC is a distraction. You can't get rid of all distractions, only limit them. So get rid of the bad ones and be a capable enough driver that you can make a phone call while behind the wheel to report a drunk. If you aren't a capable enough driver, then pull over. People have different driving abilities.

Except for the fact that 911 is only for a real emergency. A drunk driver can be extremly dangerous, but if he hasn't caused an accident yet it's something you would need to report to local authorities. You can actually get fined if you call 911 and are not reporting a real emergency. Next time take the plate # and call local authorities not 911

You forgot one small detail. 911 is for emergencies only. If you want to report a drunk driver who at the moment hasn't injured or killed anyone you call the local authorities not 911. By calling 911 you are wasting the operators time that could be spent helping someone in immediate danger and could indirectly cause someone to die because they couldn't reach a 911 operator.

37 most "drunk drivers" do not require an emergency call. Most of them are barely driving poorly and people are stupid enough to try to follow and drive as stupidly as they are. More often than not when my officers stop a "drunk driver," they are not drunk at all or they have observed no violations themselves and the person calling won't make any complaint because they don't want to be the one in court

No the operator was like that because 911 is for emergencies only not a drunk driver who hasn't caused any harm at the moment. Between someone who is about to die and a drunk driver who hasn't caused any harm the immediate death takes priority. 911 is for an immenent death situation. That's why the local police station is equipped with phones so that they can be called and told about drunk drivers and not waste a 911 operator's time that could be better spent helping someone who is in immediate danger

or common sense.