Two Questions for Law Enforcement, Judges and anyone who has experience in these...

[SintonFan]

First question(s):
Should a person who witnesses a driver actively texting and mildly swerving call 911 or the local Sheriff's office to report it? Should the witness even call at all if the local Sheriff's office is known? If the local office isn't known what would be the best course of action?
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Second question(s):
Scenario: An ambulance with flashing lights, but no siren, pulled out in front of drivers during rush hour on an interstate highway(in a city). Does the driver stay behind the ambulance even if the ambulance is going ten miles an hour below the speed limit?
What is the best course of action here?
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Keep in mind, I am not looking for legal advice or anything to use in anything. I just am looking for opinions.
Both situations happened to me today. I didn't report the texting driver because I didn't have the local Sheriff's office number handy. I regret that, because I think I should have reported the teenager because of his swerving(and Florida plates lol).
The second situation happened on IH 37 in front of the Alamodome going north to IH 35, turning South on IH 35 to Laredo before the ambulance exited before IH 10. It was a frustrating 4 miles following behind the ambulance at speeds of 55 and 45 mph when the posted speeds were 65-60. No one passed up the ambulance, myself included.
Any thoughts? Again, I am not looking for advice, just opinions.
Thanks for any response.:)

[OldBison75]

First question: Call it in, but if you know a non-emergency number use it. If not call 911 and ask for the non emergency number for the local law enforcement agency. If the driver is swerving , no matter why, it needs to be reported to the police.

Second question: The emergency lights and siren only give the emergency vehicle the right to proceed safely through traffic. It is not a license to drive with no regard for traffic. If any emergency vehicle is driving below the speed limit with lights on, siren or not, it can be passed by other vehicles that are obeying the law ( with the exception of a vehicle that is clearly escorting a dangerous load or a funeral that the officer is blocking your ability to pass in the traffic lanes. If it is more that one lane going in the same direction-you can pass any emergency vehicle that is driving below the speed limit. If the ambulance pulled in front of you using only lights, he broke the law and you should let the ambulance service know about it. In Texas, there is no emergency vehicle designation for a vehicle with only emergency lights, it is only an emergency vehicle if both visible and audible warning devices are activated.

[rancher]

To be exempt under Texas Motor Vehicle Law, the emergency vehicle must be running with lights and siren in operation and still must proceed in SAFETY. The person in this case more than likely forgot to turn the lights off.

Call the Sheriff or DPS and let them know of an unsafe driver. Only use 911 only if in your judgement there is a danger to life.

[blowfish]

I hate to admit it but many years ago when I was still on patrol I would occasionaly leave my overhead lights on. Since I patroled out in the county most of the time I wouldnt realize it until I came into the city or a major roadway. There is just no good way to fake that mistake.

As for the texting. Currently it is not an offense but anything that causes a driver to operate a motor vehicle in a reckless manner is an offense. These include eating, putting on make up, reading a book. Yes I have seen many people reading books while driving.

[Trashman]

Since were on this subject. If a vehicle headed inbound and an emergency vehicle is headed outbound (lights and siren) does the inbound vehicle to pull over even though they are headed in opposite directions?:confused:

[SintonFan]

Thanks for the responses.:clap:

[ssgmp5150]

As far as the texting goes....if it is anything like our city by the time we get the information and send it to an officer, the subject is already exiting our city and entering another city....Seeing how busy we are, we rarely have the time to send an officer to something like that anyway. We simply take the information and broadcast it to the officers in the field and that is the end of the story. So, nobody in particular is actively looking for that person unless just by chance there is an officer right there when the broadcast is put out. So, I hate to say it is a waste of time to call in, but nine times out of ten it is....Whatever you do don't call 911!!!! Simply dial "0" for the operator or 1411 for information and ask them to put you through to the police department's non-emergency number! That is the same for DWI's, etc....It is not that we dont want to, it is just a matter of available officers and if the person is still in our city and we have time to catch up to them...I know that is terrible customer service, but that is the reality of it!

[Looking4number8]

Originally posted by SintonFan
First question(s):
Should a person who witnesses a driver actively texting and mildly swerving call 911 or the local Sheriff's office to report it? Should the witness even call at all if the local Sheriff's office is known? If the local office isn't known what would be the best course of action?
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Well the question is, what is the difference in him texting and driving and you looking at your screen to dial the sheriff dept while driving?:thinking:

[SintonFan]

Originally posted by Looking4number8
Well the question is, what is the difference in him texting and driving and you looking at your screen to dial the sheriff dept while driving?:thinking:
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I wasn't asking that.:(
I have great responsibilities when I drive on the job and take that in consideration as well.:)