The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is a police agency of California with patrol jurisdiction over all California highways. The CHP also acts as the state police. It’s a dangerous law enforcement job due to the various road conditions. They patrol all California roadways and freeways. They handle all types of traffic stops, road hazards, fires, truck weigh-ins, and they are generally the first to arrive at a traffic accident.
If you live in California, you might have noticed signs posted stating, “report drunk drivers”. I’ve often wondered if the CHP really receives calls from motorists, if they immediately respond, and do they actually catch the drunk driver.
I didn’t have to wait long to find out. A main freeway Highway 101 travels north and south throughout the state of California. It’s a busy freeway, especially in the northern Bay area and southern areas.
A white Jeep, weaving across the highway during the middle of the afternoon, traveling about 80 miles per hour continued to speed and drive erratically. At some times, he went across the median. It was clear that this individual wasn’t just texting or using the cell phone. He was impaired, most likely drunk, and the outcome wasn’t going to be good.
I called 911 on my cell phone and reported the driver and license plate to the CHP dispatcher. It helped that I know police radio codes (makes the police sit up and take notice) and I gave the immediate, pertinent information. They thanked me and said that they had received several other calls.
Now, all I had to do was wait. I’m not the most patient person.
The Jeep zoomed ahead pushing 90 miles per hour and out of sight. I figured the guy had already taken an exit and the police wouldn’t find him. *Sigh*
About fifteen minutes later, up ahead, I saw five CHP patrol cars. They had pulled over the Jeep and were in the process of arresting him, hands cuffed behind his back with his head down.
I couldn’t help myself, I had to give a few honks as I drove past. Thank you California CHP! You guys rule!
The moral to this story?
If you ever see ANY suspicious activity, car or drunk driver, call it in immediately.
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Author Jennifer Chase 
You saved a life. Maybe not that day, but ultimately, you saved a life. I’ve reported drunk drivers twice without knowing the outcome. Still, who cares. It was the right thing to do. Thank you. Hopefully, others will be inspired to do the right thing.
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Jennifer, I’ve reported incidents like this a number of times. I can’t say that I have ever seen the cops pull the guy over, but I know they take those calls seriously. I believe if more motorists would make calls like that, more people might think twice before they got behind the wheel drunk.
Regards, SW
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A few years ago, my husband and I were going up north for a fun weekend. We were almost hit by a man as he passed us. He was weaving all over the place, using both lanes of the freeway. We called 911 and told them this guy was going to kill himself and maybe take some people with him. We were told to keep our distance, but they were sending someone right away. They told us that when we saw the officer to pull back and stop 200 yards behind them. We did. The officer handcuffed the guy and put him in his car. He came back to talk to us and shook my husband’s hand. He thanked us for helping out and probably saving lives.
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it is scary to be out on the highway with drunk drivers!
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I’ve always wondered about that. Fantastic job Jennifer! 😀
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