united-states california traffic
Does reporting reckless drivers do anything?
<p>Unfortunately, in my neighborhood (in California) a lot of drivers roll through stop signs and red lights, while turning right, sometimes almost hitting the pedestrians.</p>

<p>Do the pedestrians have any recourse at all (if they weren't hurt)? Does calling the cops do anything, if the cops weren't there to witness the reckless driving themselves?</p>

<p>That depends on the attitude of the local police, and the exact circumstances. If the pedestrian can report a license plate number, cops can (and may or may not) find the owner and deliver a warning. If the pedestrian can id the driver, the cops can charge and prosecute. They may not bother. </p>

<p>I was once cut off in a very dangerous manner by another car. I called 911 on my cell phone, and followed the other car, letting the police know my whereabouts. A police car drove up and pulled the other car over and issued a citation after talking with me.  I was asked to sign a statement, and then to come to traffic court and testify. The other driver eventually pled to a somewhat lesser offense (careless driving if I recall correctly, rather than reckless.) That was in NJ, but I doubt the law would be very different on that point in CA. But whether the police would choose to act I could not predict.</p>
