Hi all. Wow, first time I posted in On-Topic for months!

Janine and I managed to escape to the pub last night (as those of you who know it, it's about a mile from the house). We passed a cop car sitting in a layby, obviously waiting to pull someone (there's been a big surge in arrests & tickets with an all-new police force here).
We drove past about 800 yards and here comes a familiar car towards us - a car driven by a local who drinks and drives (badly) but we also know very well. Not a friend, just a friendly pub acqaintance who we often chat to. Janine said "Oh, shit...he's gonna get done". I realised this and said nothing. We passed him without waving, flashing or anything.
Ten minutes later, we hear he has been done for drink driving. I said to Janine that it was probably about time and that if we'd had Carter in the car the other driver could, forseeably, been drunk enough to kill us all. She agreed, but it was rather sad really. It was a tough decision, bearing in mind that accidents here are very rare and, when they do happen, they usually only involve the driver.
I have felt a bit guilty about it today. If it was me, I would have appreciated knowing that cops lay in wait for ANY reason. In a small community like this, speeding tickets are usually avoided by other locals flashing madly at each other before the police can zap you on the radar gun.
I know drink driving is a totally different matter and I stand by my decision but knowing that I had the chance to stop the guy and say something to him has left me feeling a bit weird today.

Thoughts?

 

Please dont feel in the wee bit guilty .

This person was an accident waiting to happen , and its only time before he killed somebody by his actions , think how you would have felt then .

My cousin was murdered by a drink driver on her 21st birthday , The driver was actually awaiting the court case from a previous pull so thought he may as well carry on as he was going to lose his license anyway

Her twin brother actually ended up hanging himself some years later , we dont know if it was related .

Bless them both Anne and Jamie

Drink driving really does destroy families and should be dealt with accordingly .

You done the right thing

 

I only ever give warning if the speed detector vans are up the road, drink driving has killed to many people and they didnt even want to be involved.

good job you didnt let him know. feel less guilty, one less idiot on the road cannot be a bad thing.

 

Do not feel guilty.

The only person in the wrong was the guy who decided to drink and drive, he got what was coming. Period.

I wish the traffic police would do this kind of thing more often, only the other day I witnessed three guys drinking in a local pub (each had min. 4 pints), they then proceeded to get into three Toyota Hilux trucks (from the same lanscape gardening company) and drive off.

You did the right thing.

 

You did the right thing mate...... don't feel responsible for somebody elses foolishness!

 

What if they guy had carried on for another 5 mins and killed someone.

Does that help with the dilemma?

 

And speeding hasn't killed just as many innocent people

I never flash to people to let them know about speed cameras in 30 zones. Safe wide quiet roads are a different matter.

Graham, FWIW I think you did exactly the right thing. He knew the risks, committed the crime, and now has to face up to it. I have a friend who was always drink driving, despite our efforts to stop him. He was caught and banned for a year and is now completely reformed

 

Half an hour ago I saw a young blonde in a 911 GT3 being breathalised at the side of the A1(M).

 

Male or female?

Roadie you did the right thing.

My Auntie was killed by one of these mindless twatts, so have no sympathy.

 

I think you should feel guilty for not getting him done before now.