Thunderbolt61911

The difference is that you stayed on the phone and provided updates on the suspect's location. You were probably also willing to testify to what you had witnessed, which allows the officer to stop the suspect based upon your word alone and without seeing any traffic violations committed by the suspect. This type of scenario usually gets a good response from police officers.

OP's situation is different, in the sense that the car could have gone anywhere once OP reports it. An officer in the immediate area would probably keep an eye out, but that's it. It's still worth reporting, OP, because when the car does go off a cliff and you were the last one to have contact with them, you might be able to provide some useful information.

Source: Cop

I was going to say that it's not legal in the US - I recall Montana getting threatened with the revocation of certain federal highway funds if they didn't get an open container law on the books - but some quick research indicates that a few southern states still don't have an open container law on the books:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_open_container_laws

Current LEO here (UT) - I'm interested in a PI career post retirement but I'm having trouble figuring out how the job works once licensed. PI firms rarely are hiring. I can get licensed but then what? There are no training courses out here. How did you make the transition? Tips? Thanks for the AMA. Stay safe.