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Original poster

To ask you how far you'd go to stop a friend from frequently drink driving

107 replies

wherehaveallthegoodfolkgone · 02/06/2024 22:31

He's in his early 60s, drives a van and is convinced that alcohol won't impair his judgement.

Today he was drinking several glasses of wine at his son's house before driving for an hour to return back. We live close by and I noticed the state he was in.
I really lost it today, he could have killed someone. I've messaged his son but I short of reporting him, what on earth can I do.?

I've sat down with him and made him read the RAC facts on drink driving, the met police facts on jail/licence removal etc.
He's nodding but deep down I know he won't really listen.
Any suggestions?

OP posts:
GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 03/06/2024 10:38

I’ve certainly heard of someone in such cases of habitual drink-driving, tipping off local police at the time - giving a description of the vehicle and reg no. if they know it. And the route they’ll be on.

I dare say most people would feel guilty about doing it, but the fact is that so many accidents - including serious and fatal ones - are down to driving while under the influence of alcohol - and more recently, often of drugs, too.

Sarah2891 · 03/06/2024 10:37

I'd have reported him easily. Drink drivers are the worst.

DownWithThisKindOfThing · 03/06/2024 10:36

Why you would do anything other than phone the police is beyond me.

alittlehopeisadangerousthing · 03/06/2024 10:35

Report him. Imagine having to live with the knowledge that he knocked down and killed somebody and you never reported him. Just report him and you'll know you did what you could.

LoveSandbanks · 03/06/2024 10:34

I had a friend that used to drink and drive and outright told her I would report her.

we’re not friends anymore which is fine, I like my friends to have at least some integrity.

MsSorrento · 03/06/2024 10:33

You report him, that's the only option.

Blendeddogs · 03/06/2024 10:28

Comedycook · 02/06/2024 22:33

Report him.

I'm usually very much a mind my own business type of person but he could literally kill someone

This - I would tell them this and I couldn’t be friends with a potential killer

DelilahBucket · 03/06/2024 10:20

The only way he will realise is to lose his licence. You're right, he's going to kill someone. So you need to be reporting it to the police via 999 as soon as he gets behind the wheel. The car doesn't even need to be moving for him to be arrested, he just needs to have the keys on him and be in the vehicle (it was this action that caused someone I know to get a driving ban last year).

Mammma91 · 03/06/2024 10:12

Report him. Every time. People like that shouldn’t be aloud on the road. Dangerous and he’s a selfish idiot.

RedPony1 · 03/06/2024 10:11

Report him, I've just reported someone i know for drink & drug driving. merrily driving her children around but can barely stand up! i'll report her every time i see her wobbling to her car until they catch her

GiantRoadPuzzle · 03/06/2024 08:31

Report him.

DH’s best friend was killed by a drunk driver and it came out in the inquest that the driver was frequently known by family and friends to drive drunk, but no one ever reported him.

ClockworkDisaster · 03/06/2024 08:29

Report 100% without hesitation. Give the police his reg.

Deathbyfluffy · 02/06/2024 23:46

Report - I’ve done it and not ashamed to say I did it via 999 (as it’s a crime in progress).

One of the people I reported was caught on their drive home from the pub, lost their job (as they were a taxi driver) and I don’t feel guilty.
They still have no idea I reported them as far as I know!

Justrolledmyeyesoutloud · 02/06/2024 23:42

I can't believe people stiĺl fo this.
Report.

Sarahzb · 02/06/2024 23:41

Huh. Someone asked me at a party at my house to drop them to a bus stop so near to me it was ridiculous. No. I've had too much to drink.
Oh it's not very far!
No. Either walk or get another bus to your desired stop.
In the 60s it was common. Not now FFS

MrsSkylerWhite · 02/06/2024 23:34

Kind people don’t get behind the wheel of a lethal weapon when they’re pissed.

Of course you have to report him.

Bluescissorsbluepen · 02/06/2024 23:32

There are so many things that can ruin lives, few can be avoided but being killed by this particular drunk driver can be avoided if you report them.

spottyhotdog · 02/06/2024 23:24

Report him.
If you don't and he kills someone (I really hope he doesn't!), you would end up feeling guilty for not trying to stop him.

PangolinPan · 02/06/2024 23:21

If you watch Crash Detectives on BBC pretty much every single collision is caused by someone drink driving. It is horrific. Please do report him.

MymblesMother · 02/06/2024 23:18

Report him via the crimestoppers website; it's completely anonymous and they'll send the info to your local police station.
You can also report him by phoning 101.

HereComesEverybody · 02/06/2024 23:17

I would report him without a single qualm & have done with close family (so more.at stake than a friend)
It's just not worth it not to. How could you live with yourself otherwise?

RampantIvy · 02/06/2024 23:14

I know he'll end up killing someone or causing an accident one day.

So, why haven't you reported him then?
It's a no brainer. You can do it anonymously.

CommeUneVacheEspagnole · 02/06/2024 23:10

I grew up rurally and this was the norm with older generations, even some who are younger.

A recent work event where we drank all day, someone drove home. I left earlier but I was horrified that people laughed about it and had allowed it. It happened again at the next one and the boss made a comment about not doing it again please. I made my feelings clear (and was considered argumentative) and said had I been there I'd have called the police as she left quoting her number plate.

IDontLoveTheWayYouLie · 02/06/2024 23:08

Report him. He will always say he's okay to do it until it isn't okay.

spiderlight · 02/06/2024 23:05

Please report him. My friend lost three close family members, including her seven-year-old, to drunk drivers in three separate accidents, so I say that without hesitation.

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