RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN - The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) has announced a sobriety checkpoint scheduled for Friday, January 24, between 10 p.m. and midnight. This initiative will take place on Rutherford Boulevard, specifically between South Church Street and Southeast Broad Street in Murfreesboro. Officers from various law enforcement agencies throughout Rutherford County will participate, with the Rutherford County Traffic Safety Task Force providing additional support at the checkpoint.
Tennessee law establishes that drivers can be charged with a DUI if their blood alcohol content (BAC) registers at 0.08% or higher. Additionally, a DUI conviction may occur if individuals are found to have prescribed or illegal drugs in their system that induce drowsiness or impair driving.
The financial implications of a DUI are significant. A first-time DUI offense can result in a minimum of 48 hours in jail, with potential sentences extending up to 11 months and 29 days. Beyond incarceration, first-time offenders face court costs of at least $1,500 and additional expenses such as fines, vehicle towing, and attorney fees, which can accumulate to around $15,000. It's crucial to note that a DUI conviction remains on a driver's record for life, posing long-term effects on personal and professional situations, including job loss due to missed workdays from jail time or license suspension.
Statistics from Tennessee indicate that approximately 2% of residents have faced a DUI arrest in the past five years. When examining DUI-related fatalities across the nation, Montana holds the unfortunate title of having the highest rate, with 8.49 fatal wrecks involving DUI drivers per 100,000 people. Wyoming follows with 7.79 DUI fatalities, and South Carolina ranks third at 7.62 per 100,000. Tennessee is positioned at number 18, with about 5.30 DUI-related fatalities for every 100,000 residents. In contrast, New Jersey boasts the lowest rate, with just 1.69 DUI fatalities per 100,000 people.
In terms of DUI arrests, Alaska ranks first, followed closely by South Dakota in second, and Pennsylvania in third place.
