Anymore it seems there are more poor drivers on the road than good. I see it everyday, as I’m sure a lot of you do too. More and more I am calling the cops, in hopes that they can stop some of these drivers and either let them know that their poor driving is being noticed by other drivers or get them off the road if they pose a threat to the rest of the public.

Last week hubs was headed to St Cloud via highway 23. He was on a two lane portion of the highway, doing the speed limit of 30 miles an hour through a small town when a car came by him on the right shoulder, speeding past. That car got by him and another tried to go by as well but he squeezed them out and then called the highway patrol. Hubs spoke with a 911 dispatcher and was told that they would let an officer know what had happened. He pretty much thought that would be the end of the ordeal, but he was wrong.

He followed the car that had passed him on the shoulder for around 15 miles. When they reached a stretch of four lane a highway patrol appeared going the opposite direction. The HP quickly crossed the median, passed hubs and fell in behind the car that had passed him on the shoulder.

The highway patrol followed for some time then pulled the vehicle over. Hubs kept going feeling pretty good that justice had been done. But, his phone rang a while later and it was the highway patrol himself.

The officer was a peach of a guy (in hubs words) who went on to tell him that the driver was a 70 year old woman that was confused, and said she hadn’t realized that the road was only a two lane and not a four lane road. He then told hubs he would let him make the choice of whether the officer gave her a warning or a ticket. Hubs being the sweetheart he is, opted for the warning but was very pleased that the officer even gave him a choice in the matter.

I have been calling in more and more. And sadly not only on four wheelers but big trucks as well. About two months ago I called the company safety director on a local truck that pulled out in front of me.

I was coming into a town with a 45 mph zone, and was doing the speed limit. I’m guessing I wasn’t going fast enough for the driver who decided not to wait for me. The thing was though, when he pulled out in front of me I was only 200 to 300 feet from him. I smoked my breaks so I didn’t hit him. There was no one behind me, and he didn’t bother even trying to get on the shoulder or out of the way.

I followed him all the way to the next town, where both of us were headed, with him not answering his CB, but speeding thinking he could get away from me. He was mistaken though as I kept up quite nicely, and when we got to town, I  was able to get pictures of his truck, truck number, and license plates.

The next morning I called in to his safety director and explained what had happened. Of coarse he thought I was in a four wheeler, then when I told him I was in another truck he was perplexed as to why his driver would do this, especially to another truck. I told him his driver sat at the stop sign, waiting. And to me, when I didn’t get past him fast enough, it seemed he didn’t want to wait any longer. This shouldn’t have happened and although I don’t like to get anyone in trouble I don’t like slamming my breaks on for anyone. And I surely don’t like doing it for someone who knows better!

The reason I’m telling you this is because if we do not start complaining about the poor drivers out here on the roads (while driving a car, pick up, motorcycle, or semi) the poor drivers are going to continue to cause accidents and put us in a position we don’t want or need to be in.

Here are a few pointers for dealing with poor drivers and calling in to 911:

• Don’t let road rage take over.
• Don’t do anything stupid.
• Let law enforcement take care of the problem.
• If you don’t want to call in, pull off the road and let the problem person go ahead of you.
• Keep a clear mind when you call in; don’t swear, make threats, or fly off the handle.
• Have a notebook handy for a description of the vehicle and get the license plate number.
• If your in the city just calling 911 will do.
• If your on the freeway, call 911 but ask to speak to the highway patrol, usually they will patch you right through.
• Tell the dispatcher you want to make a formal complaint if you feel like getting involved.

Doing this will make it safer for you and other vehicles on our roads and if we don’t start taking action who will?