Here’s a question from a reader:

I don’t have a hands free system for my phone because I don’t believe in using the phone while I drive. However, I occasionally see seriously erratic drivers who I strongly suspect are drunk or impaired. Before the cellphone law, I would call the CHP and report them, but now I’m in a quandary. Should I go ahead and use my cellphone to call in a likely drunk driver, even though it’s technically against the law? I’m sure others wonder this as well. Julie

CHP Officer Jon Sloat replied: “People are allowed to use cell phones while driving to report an emergency, which a DUI driver definitely is. We chase them down all the time thanks to 911 calls. This also would include a collision, crime in progress or any other situation where someone could be injured.”

Sloat also gave some tips for drivers who spot a suspected DUI: Provide as much information to 911 about the suspect vehicle as possible, including license plate, color and make, location, direction of travel and what makes you suspicious, such as weaving, driving on shoulder, running other cars off road, etc.

He said you can follow the DUI as you call in the information but only if absolutely safe.

He said at times when officers can’t catch up to the suspect on the road, they’ll use the license plate number to get the owner’s address and will try to intercept the driver there. If the driver makes it home by the time the officer arrives, Sloat said, “we really can’t do anything” in terms of an arrest, but the officer typically will contact the owner or driver at the home and basically will issue a warning.

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If you have a question for the Road Warrior, please email it to jim.fremgen@pressdemocrat.com.