The operator has to say that. Their have been cases when the drunk driver causes damage to those following to report them. Lots have ended poorly for the reporter and fine for the drunk

some states are getting more strict in the driving phone policy, understandably. ... but that's a bit extreme? happened to my bf who lives out of state in fact. Called to tell me he was in the state and that moment a state trooper pulled him over.

Well that douche should be reported also...and how would he know if you were hands free or not without asking.

911 is for real emergencies, not for dumbasses who are ABOUT to need medical attention. Call the local police, give them the plate number, and don't worry about it anymore because there's nothing you can do.

911 is for emergencies only. If you want to report a suspected drunk driver you call the local police department. If everyone called 911 to report drunk drivers or other situations that aren't immediately life threatening would take up the 911 operators time and could result in the death of someone trying to call 911 for an emergency all because they couldn't reach an operator.

Soooo who's worse, drunk driver or someone talking on their phone... Common sense guys

Why would you call the emergency number? call the regular local station number.

Another case of the public knowing the job better than the people doing it. 1- most people reported as being "drunk" are not drunk, and half the time they're not even doing more than one accidental slip over the dotted line. Somehow that makes them maniacs. And you can't tell me you've never done that. 2- you can report the plate number and location and if it's accurate and you are willing to sign a complaint, and they can put that person behind the wheel, depending on the agency, they can act on it. You, however, will have to go to court if the officer has no reason besides your word to pull them over. 3- much to everyone's surprise, there is not an officer sitting around every corner. It takes time for them to drive to wherever you are, especially when you keep moving, and no, drunk drivers who've only committed minor traffic offenses so far according to a caller do not require lights and siren, so the officers go with the flow of traffic. 4- Driving like a ******** is not a life or death emergency. Neither is a loose dog (just fyi for you all). 5- most people who follow people who are weaving/speeding are also doing it to keep up and putting themselves and other drivers in danger. So how about you don't. 6- California is a hands-free state. It sounds different on a phone if it's being used as a handset vs an earpiece vs a speaker. I'm betting the call taker could tell it was being used as a handset. They're taking the liability off themselves by telling you to knock it off with the law breaking so when you get into an accident, it's not on them. 7- I know it's a shocker, but call takers and dispatchers deal with some heavy shit. They also deal with dumbasses all day. After a while it wears on you and you can't put a smile on your face 24/7. don't pull the "get a new job" bs cause it happens to everyone - everyone gets jaded - and a very large percentage of the population cannot handle that job. She might have just taken a call where she performed CPR on an infant (I know I have) and then had to deal with you. They are taught to go emotionless but it physically cannot always happen. 8- a LOT of 911 callers reporting non emergencies are jerks to the call taker. I'm not saying you necessarily were, but there's a chance you were, and with attitude comes more. /rant

I don't understand how 4000 people say OP deserved it. Does anyone really think he/she did something wrong?

Well drunk drivers and drivers on the phone seem pretty similar if you a ask me. Neither are/can really concentrate on the road and that's what they're supposed to be doing.