Site to report dangerous drivers
09-02-20, 04:25 PM
#26
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Too often, dangerous drivers are let off with inadequate penalties because it's their first time in court.
By reporting dangerous drivers, a record will exist of their dangerous activities. Should one of those drivers end up in court, their record would establish that the dangerous driver has a documented history of driving dangerously. This can lead to stiffer penalties, since the record will show a pattern of behavior, and it (hopefully) prevents a dangerous driver from being given leniency.
By reporting dangerous drivers, a record will exist of their dangerous activities. Should one of those drivers end up in court, their record would establish that the dangerous driver has a documented history of driving dangerously. This can lead to stiffer penalties, since the record will show a pattern of behavior, and it (hopefully) prevents a dangerous driver from being given leniency.
I didn't make any claims. I answered someone's question; they asked "why does this exist" and I basically recited the organization's mission statement. I was not saying I support their mission, nor was I saying that no one should support them. I was simply pointing out things as they are.
Last edited by Koyote; 09-02-20 at 04:46 PM.
09-02-20, 05:45 PM
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I do NOT think it "unfortunate" that anonymous, unsubstantiated reports of "dangerous activity" gathered by a private, for profit, web site is inadmissible in court. I am glad that such likely tainted and biased so-called "evidence" is not considered at all in any legal proceeding.
09-02-20, 06:26 PM
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Moved from "General"
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09-02-20, 06:36 PM
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Too often, dangerous drivers are let off with inadequate penalties because it's their first time in court.
By reporting dangerous drivers, a record will exist of their dangerous activities. Should one of those drivers end up in court, their record would establish that the dangerous driver has a documented history of driving dangerously. This can lead to stiffer penalties, since the record will show a pattern of behavior, and it (hopefully) prevents a dangerous driver from being given leniency.
By reporting dangerous drivers, a record will exist of their dangerous activities. Should one of those drivers end up in court, their record would establish that the dangerous driver has a documented history of driving dangerously. This can lead to stiffer penalties, since the record will show a pattern of behavior, and it (hopefully) prevents a dangerous driver from being given leniency.
09-02-20, 06:55 PM
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I was not citing anything. I was re-citing, from memory, the reasons given by a similar organization that popped up in my former community. OP's link is not the first organization I've seen that keeps databases of dangerous drivers. So, when someone asked why such a database exists, I spoke from experience to explain the rationale. I was not necessarily endorsing the practice, nor was I discrediting it.
09-02-20, 07:18 PM
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I was not citing anything. I was re-citing, from memory, the reasons given by a similar organization that popped up in my former community. OP's link is not the first organization I've seen that keeps databases of dangerous drivers. So, when someone asked why such a database exists, I spoke from experience to explain the rationale. I was not necessarily endorsing the practice, nor was I discrediting it.
If you actually look at the website, it looks (from a cursory glance) like it's designed to redirect the user to a for-fee website that claims to provide info on a vehicle's owner - looked up with the plate number.
In other words, the website is not at all claiming to be for the purpose you assigned to it. Having that straight, up front, would have saved you some grief.
Last edited by Koyote; 09-02-20 at 07:21 PM.
09-02-20, 07:42 PM
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So when you wrote in post #25 "I basically recited the organization's mission statement," you really meant "I basically recited some organization's mission statement." Sure, okay.
If you actually look at the website, it looks (from a cursory glance) like it's designed to redirect the user to a for-fee website that claims to provide info on a vehicle's owner - looked up with the plate number.
In other words, the website is not at all claiming to be for the purpose you assigned to it. Having that straight, up front, would have saved you some grief.
If you actually look at the website, it looks (from a cursory glance) like it's designed to redirect the user to a for-fee website that claims to provide info on a vehicle's owner - looked up with the plate number.
In other words, the website is not at all claiming to be for the purpose you assigned to it. Having that straight, up front, would have saved you some grief.
09-02-20, 08:02 PM
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The "ideal world" doesn't exist.
Last edited by njkayaker; 09-02-20 at 10:52 PM.
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09-02-20, 08:05 PM
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I didn't make any claims. I answered someone's question; they asked "why does this exist" and I basically recited the organization's mission statement. I was not saying I support their mission, nor was I saying that no one should support them. I was simply pointing out things as they are.
I didn't make any claims. I answered someone's question; they asked "why does this exist" and I basically recited the organization's mission statement. I was not saying I support their mission, nor was I saying that no one should support them. I was simply pointing out things as they are.
Last edited by njkayaker; 09-02-20 at 08:13 PM.
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09-02-20, 09:44 PM
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First off, there is precedent that establishing prior behavior of a driver was considered by prosecutors. The Dr. Thompson case in Mandeville Canyon has had a high profile. https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lan...sentenced.html From that article: "Prosecutors said Thompson had a history of run-ins with bike riders, including a similar episode four months before the crash when two cyclists told police that the doctor tried to run them off the road and braked suddenly in front of them. Neither of the riders was injured."
It does appear that https://closecalldatabase.com/ is down; it has been that way for at least a couple of weeks. It provided a fairly complete set of fields. I don't know if any of the incidents posted were ever part of the chain of events that improved the behavior of a driver.
I test-drove "findbyplate.com" and it allows you to add a comment for a particular tag number. You have to enter your name and email. There is a drop-down menu for classification and it includes such options as "Safe Driver", "Dangerous Driver", "Amber Alert", and so on. There is then a field for a comment. I didn't try it, but it appears you can upload a photo or video file that will be associated with that tag number.
I think I used "close call" two or three times, always for clearly intentional, aggressive and dangerous actions with the license plate number established. I knew the odds of it helping to improve a driver's behavior was probably Powerball odds... but heck, I've bought 3 Powerball tickets in my life... so I do irrational things at times...
I have never tried calling 911 for a "close call". My experience with 911 on real problems has been so poor that I don't know if I want to go through it for a "close call"... well, I guess I'll have to if it is clearly way out of line.....
It does appear that https://closecalldatabase.com/ is down; it has been that way for at least a couple of weeks. It provided a fairly complete set of fields. I don't know if any of the incidents posted were ever part of the chain of events that improved the behavior of a driver.
I think I used "close call" two or three times, always for clearly intentional, aggressive and dangerous actions with the license plate number established. I knew the odds of it helping to improve a driver's behavior was probably Powerball odds... but heck, I've bought 3 Powerball tickets in my life... so I do irrational things at times...
I have never tried calling 911 for a "close call". My experience with 911 on real problems has been so poor that I don't know if I want to go through it for a "close call"... well, I guess I'll have to if it is clearly way out of line.....
Last edited by flangehead; 09-02-20 at 09:45 PM. Reason: Clarify.
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09-02-20, 10:56 PM
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First off, there is precedent that establishing prior behavior of a driver was considered by prosecutors. The Dr. Thompson case in Mandeville Canyon has had a high profile. https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lan...sentenced.html From that article: "Prosecutors said Thompson had a history of run-ins with bike riders, including a similar episode four months before the crash when two cyclists told police that the doctor tried to run them off the road and braked suddenly in front of them. Neither of the riders was injured."
From these sorts of websites??
No one is claiming that prior behavior wasn't considered.
But it doesn't seem these websites would be used in court for that.
Last edited by njkayaker; 09-03-20 at 07:21 AM.
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09-03-20, 05:57 AM
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First off, there is precedent that establishing prior behavior of a driver was considered by prosecutors. The Dr. Thompson case in Mandeville Canyon has had a high profile. https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lan...sentenced.html From that article: "Prosecutors said Thompson had a history of run-ins with bike riders, including a similar episode four months before the crash when two cyclists told police that the doctor tried to run them off the road and braked suddenly in front of them. Neither of the riders was injured."
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09-03-20, 07:00 AM
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First off, there is precedent that establishing prior behavior of a driver was considered by prosecutors. The Dr. Thompson case in Mandeville Canyon has had a high profile. https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lan...sentenced.html From that article: "Prosecutors said Thompson had a history of run-ins with bike riders, including a similar episode four months before the crash when two cyclists told police that the doctor tried to run them off the road and braked suddenly in front of them. Neither of the riders was injured."
"Prosecutors said Thompson had a history of run-ins with bike riders, including a similar episode four months before the crash when two cyclists declared on an anonymous forum, which has no legal standing or procedure, that the doctor tried to run them off the road and braked suddenly in front of them. Neither of the riders was injured."
09-03-20, 08:13 AM
#40
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The idea is that these organizations spend some time monitoring court cases so they are aware of when someone from their database is in court for something major. Then, the reporting group alerts the prosecutor(s) to the information they have. In an ideal world, the prosecution would be motivated to do the right thing and make sure justice is served against the dangerous driver....
09-03-20, 11:02 AM
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I indicated that I thought these dangerous driver reporting sites are, generally, trying to accomplish something good: they seek to help people with legitimate criminal complaints seek justice against those that harmed them. However, in practice, because of the myriad of technical and logistical challenges that exist in our non-ideal world, these same sites do not do a very good job at what they are attempting. Hence, I can support the idea of a reporting site, while acknowledging that none so far have done a very good job of turning their good idea into good action.
09-03-20, 11:07 AM
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So when you wrote in post #25 "I basically recited the organization's mission statement," you really meant "I basically recited some organization's mission statement." Sure, okay.
If you actually look at the website, it looks (from a cursory glance) like it's designed to redirect the user to a for-fee website that claims to provide info on a vehicle's owner - looked up with the plate number.
In other words, the website is not at all claiming to be for the purpose you assigned to it. Having that straight, up front, would have saved you some grief.
If you actually look at the website, it looks (from a cursory glance) like it's designed to redirect the user to a for-fee website that claims to provide info on a vehicle's owner - looked up with the plate number.
In other words, the website is not at all claiming to be for the purpose you assigned to it. Having that straight, up front, would have saved you some grief.
09-03-20, 11:11 AM
#43
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Too often, dangerous drivers are let off with inadequate penalties because it's their first time in court.
By reporting dangerous drivers, a record will exist of their dangerous activities. Should one of those drivers end up in court, their record would establish that the dangerous driver has a documented history of driving dangerously. This can lead to stiffer penalties, since the record will show a pattern of behavior, and it (hopefully) prevents a dangerous driver from being given leniency.
By reporting dangerous drivers, a record will exist of their dangerous activities. Should one of those drivers end up in court, their record would establish that the dangerous driver has a documented history of driving dangerously. This can lead to stiffer penalties, since the record will show a pattern of behavior, and it (hopefully) prevents a dangerous driver from being given leniency.
The records from these websites won't "lead to stiffer penalties" because they don't appear to be admissible in court.
There is also no mention of an "ideal world".
Isn't the hole you are digging deep enough?
Why are you so defensive?
An "ideal world" is opposed to the real one. If it's "impractical to put into practice", then it's pointless to put into practice.
It appears the only practical purpose of these sorts of sites is as an outlet for frustration or a desire for revenge.
However, in practice, because of the myriad of technical and logistical challenges that exist in our non-ideal world, these same sites do not do a very good job at what they are attempting. Hence, I can support the idea of a reporting site, while acknowledging that none so far have done a very good job of turning their good idea into good action.
Last edited by njkayaker; 09-03-20 at 11:57 AM.
09-03-20, 11:57 AM
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You are contradicting yourself.
The records from these websites won't "lead to stiffer penalties" because they don't appear to be admissible in court.
There is also no mention of an "ideal world".
You are moving the goal posts. Your first comment about it didn't mention it being "a good idea in theory".
Isn't the hole you are digging deep enough?
Why are you so defensive?
An "ideal world" is opposed to the real one. If it's "impractical to put into practice", then it's pointless to put into practice.
??? How?
It appears the only practical purpose of these sorts of sites is as an outlet for frustration or a desire for revenge.
With all the practical difficulties making it work, what purpose does supporting an idea serve?
The records from these websites won't "lead to stiffer penalties" because they don't appear to be admissible in court.
There is also no mention of an "ideal world".
You are moving the goal posts. Your first comment about it didn't mention it being "a good idea in theory".
Isn't the hole you are digging deep enough?
Why are you so defensive?
An "ideal world" is opposed to the real one. If it's "impractical to put into practice", then it's pointless to put into practice.
??? How?
It appears the only practical purpose of these sorts of sites is as an outlet for frustration or a desire for revenge.
With all the practical difficulties making it work, what purpose does supporting an idea serve?
09-03-20, 12:18 PM
#45
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You are contradicting yourself.
The records from these websites won't "lead to stiffer penalties" because they don't appear to be admissible in court.
There is also no mention of an "ideal world".
You are moving the goal posts. Your first comment about it didn't mention it being "a good idea in theory".
Isn't the hole you are digging deep enough?
Why are you so defensive?
An "ideal world" is opposed to the real one. If it's "impractical to put into practice", then it's pointless to put into practice.
??? How?
It appears the only practical purpose of these sorts of sites is as an outlet for frustration or a desire for revenge.
With all the practical difficulties making it work, what purpose does supporting an idea that only works in an ideal world serve?
The records from these websites won't "lead to stiffer penalties" because they don't appear to be admissible in court.
There is also no mention of an "ideal world".
You are moving the goal posts. Your first comment about it didn't mention it being "a good idea in theory".
Isn't the hole you are digging deep enough?
Why are you so defensive?
An "ideal world" is opposed to the real one. If it's "impractical to put into practice", then it's pointless to put into practice.
??? How?
It appears the only practical purpose of these sorts of sites is as an outlet for frustration or a desire for revenge.
With all the practical difficulties making it work, what purpose does supporting an idea that only works in an ideal world serve?
The web site in question also appears to also have the practical purpose of extracting money from those who are "curious" for whatever reasons, about the identity of specific motorists, as well as being an outlet for frustrated or vengeful snitches.
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09-03-20, 12:30 PM
#46
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While it seems that CloseCalls website may be down, there is a site that is a "Find by Plate Number" type that does have a section to report dangerous drivers. At least there can be some record and narrative if needed in the future.
https://findbyplate.com/US/GA/QBI8442/add-report/
https://findbyplate.com/US/GA/QBI8442/add-report/
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09-03-20, 02:02 PM
#47
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First off, there is precedent that establishing prior behavior of a driver was considered by prosecutors. The Dr. Thompson case in Mandeville Canyon has had a high profile. https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lan...sentenced.html From that article: "Prosecutors said Thompson had a history of run-ins with bike riders, including a similar episode four months before the crash when two cyclists told police that the doctor tried to run them off the road and braked suddenly in front of them. Neither of the riders was injured."
09-03-20, 02:18 PM
#48
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I test-drove "findbyplate.com" and it allows you to add a comment for a particular tag number. You have to enter your name and email. There is a drop-down menu for classification and it includes such options as "Safe Driver", "Dangerous Driver", "Amber Alert", and so on. There is then a field for a comment. I didn't try it, but it appears you can upload a photo or video file that will be associated with that tag number.
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09-03-20, 06:03 PM
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And let’s not forget that reporting a plate is not necessarily reporting the operator of the vehicle. Three different people used to drive my first car.
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09-03-20, 06:07 PM
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He’d probably change his tune. Many people are quick to support things until something goes wrong and they suffer the ill effects.