Warning police over a drunk driver

[Cobster]

A close family friend is considering calling the police about his (constantly drunk) father (who drives).
He's worried he'll either kill himself or someone one of these days.
I'm on the fence on this one, as it's his relative and he asked for my opinion.

On the one hand I can understand his view point, on the other, it's his father.

Tough call, what would you guys do.

 

[Edifice]

Notify the police.

Seriously, no good could come out of this.

 

[hunter001]

Look at doing an intervention type think first to see if he could get help on his own.

Once he gets pulled over for dui he is screwed with the law and insurance companies.

 

[Cobster]

Notify the police.

Seriously, no good could come out of this.

I told him he might end up driving the bastard to work for the next year.
That's what he's dreading most, but the dead father thing isn't sitting too well with him either.

Hunter, companies or company?
I would think that only his car one would be affected, what else would be, since you made insurance plural? lol

 

[MuffDiver]

If you don't cut him off and he kills someone, or himself, how would you feel knowing you might have been able to prevent it.

I'm a firm believer that each individual is solely responsible for their actions and must deal with the consequences, but I know I would be crushed if my father caused needless death(s) due to his poor decision making ability.

 

[BallzDeep]

Call the cops, the dad will never know he did it, although I'm sure he'll keep driving drunk. Sounds like the father is in his 40's or 50's, pretty tough to break the pattern now.

 

[Cobster]

I don't think the intervention will work as he has tried rationalizing with his father and he's pretty much an alcoholic.
Guy you're right, I believe he's in his late 50s.

 

[calloway]

I would call the police in advance and explain the situation. If he doesn't and his father goes out and kills someone while drunk driving... he'll feel a lot worse.

 

[Questor]

Not exactly an original thought, but what about taking his keys from him? This at least will provoke a discussion of the issue after the fact when the father is sober. It won't be much fun, but do the alternatives (letting him drive drunk or calling the cops) look any better? Another alternative is to threaten the father that he will call the cops if he gets in the car. Then at least it is the father's choice whether or not to get behind the wheel, in stead of the son's choice whether or not to call. That to me seems a more reasonable and fair option than doing it behind the father's back. I think when the son's options are stated in a clear way, the decision may be easier.

 

[Cobster]

I think he's done that (along with this sister), this is his last resort.
I feel bad for the guy.

 

[elmufdvr]

give me his name i'll call ..myself... get him some help or off the road... f#cking drunk is a threat to all. i have no remorse in calling him in... the thing about driving him to work.. that is a b#llsh!t excuse..

 

[Sasha Jones]

Tell him to actually call the cops and then tell his dad that he has done so.
Hell, call the cops right in front of him if you have to.
At least then he knows the cops have actually been called and warned and that he is likely being watched, he may think twice about driving and if he doesn't, it was his own choice.

 

[jimmyt]

I don't think the intervention will work as he has tried rationalizing with his father and he's pretty much an alcoholic.
Guy you're right, I believe he's in his late 50s.

No brainer then....cops it is. He may well be saving TWO lives. I did this once with a CLIENT.....he got busted, his employer mandated counselling, and he has'nt had a drink in months, and is not only healthier, but a better person for it.

Unless his Dad has previous convictions, he wont do time, but this may get him the wakeup he needs.

 

[osanowo]

I would call the police in advance and explain the situation. If he doesn't and his father goes out and kills someone while drunk driving... he'll feel a lot worse.

How about trying some prevention?

As said, go to the police and explain, but maybe they'll just pull him over, tell him to go back on foot or something.
Maybe your friend can ask them to "scare him" but without serious charges...

 

[Cobster]

No brainer then....cops it is. He may well be saving TWO lives. I did this once with a CLIENT.....he got busted, his employer mandated counselling, and he has'nt had a drink in months, and is not only healthier, but a better person for it.

Unless his Dad has previous convictions, he wont do time, but this may get him the wakeup he needs.

Hmmm good point about the prior convictions, I'll ask, but I don't think he does. He's just a very irresponsible drinker. I'll ask and let you know (not that you care, but hey...lol).
He asked me to intervene and knock some sense into him (jokingly), but then I'D END UP with a conviction.

 

[Cobster]

Well no prior convictions of anything, no criminal record.
So he's going to the station tomorrow.

 

[Keebler Elf]

Well no prior convictions of anything, no criminal record.

He'll have a criminal record once you report him.

Seriously, reporting him should be the last resort. Not the first. He needs to be confronted about it. You could very well ruin his life. If you're going to do that because he "may" fuck up even worse on his own, at a minimum you owe him fair warning.

You should probably talk to a lawyer first too. You don't know what you're getting him into and that's the worse kind of help possible. Not to mention that he may very well find out who made the call as a lawyer can subpoena the call to the police.

 

[BallzDeep]

Nail the stupid drunk, he's no doubt been doing it all his life, his time has come.

 

[21pro]

He'll have a criminal record once you report him.

a reporting leads to an immediate criminal record? wtf?

 

[hunter001]

a reporting leads to an immediate criminal record? wtf?

Sarcasm. The next line started with "Seriously".