How To Report Reckless Driving in California
Whether you witness or are a victim of a “road rage” incident, reckless driving is both terrifying and deadly.
Most people are unsure of how to report road rage or reckless driving when they see it, especially if no accident occurs.
In fact, one of the questions people frequently ask lawyers and police is, How do you report reckless driving if no accident happened?
There are many channels through which you can report dangerous driving.
We all share the roads and should work to keep them safe—so you can and should report reckless driving if you witness it.
While an accident may not happen in front of you, a reckless driver is very likely to cause an accident down the road.
In this blog post, the Starpoint LC, Attorneys at Law team will discuss how to report reckless driving in California.
We’ll also talk about some best practices on the road to keep you and your loved ones safe.
Can You Report Reckless Driving While On the Road?
One great way to help get reckless drivers off the road is to report dangerous driving when you see it.
As either a witness or a victim, you can notify the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
For non-emergency situations, you can call the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Report Reckless Driving to the CHP
You can report dangerous driving to the CHP while you’re still on the road.
Calling 911 is for emergencies only, so only dial 911 for incidents of ongoing reckless driving. You should also use 911 to report a reckless driving accident.
If a road rage or reckless driving incident has ended or you are a witness to a past accident, you can report the incident to the CHP’s non-emergency line at 800-TELLCHP.
Report Reckless Driving to the California DMV
The California DMV has a responsibility to keep unsafe drivers off the road. You can report an unsafe driver to the DMV by calling your local DMV office.
You can also complete a Request for Driver Reexamination Form and ask that the DMV reexamine the driver’s suitability to be on the road.
Report Reckless Driving Online
Finally, there are national databases where you can report dangerous drivers online.
By submitting basic information about a driver, you can alert others to potential road rage incidents in their area.
But you should be aware of the potential privacy risks that sites like these might carry. They are also not connected to any law enforcement agency.
Therefore, your report will not receive any follow-up by police or highway patrol.
Seek Legal Advice After a Reckless Driving Incident
If you have been the victim of a road rage incident, don’t delay in seeking legal advice.
Even as a witness to a reckless driver’s misconduct, you may need legal representation.
Witnesses of reckless driving are often deposed in a court case or asked to give testimony.
Don’t navigate these complex legal processes alone. The experienced personal injury lawyers at Starpoint LC, Attorneys at Law, are here to help you understand your rights.
Contact us today to discuss how to keep your family safe on the road and how we can help if you’re the victim of a reckless driving incident.
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Aidin Ghavimi
Aidin is a partner at Starpoint LC, Attorneys at Law, and focuses on personal injury and employment law cases in and around Southern California. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the Loyola School of Law and his Bachelor’s from USC. Aidin’s primary goal is to bring justice to his clients and to ensure they are able to move on with their lives after a serious injury.
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