The Tennessee Highway Patrol arrested 96 individuals on suspicion of impaired driving in counties participating in the “No Refusal” enforcement effort over the New Year’s holiday period. The holiday period ran from 6 p.m., on Friday, Dec. 28, through midnight on Tuesday, Jan. 1. Two suspects refused to take a breathalyzer test, resulting in warrants for a blood sample under the “No Refusal” law.
The “No Refusal” law allows law enforcement officials to seek search warrants for blood samples in cases involving suspected impaired drivers.
The goal is to deter impaired driving and reduce fatal crashes on Tennessee roadways.
Sixteen counties, two from each of the eight THP Districts, participated in this special DUI enforcement, including Knox and Sevier (Knoxville District); Hamilton and Marion (Chattanooga District); Robertson and Wilson (Nashville District); Crockett and Tipton (Memphis District); Carter and Greene (Fall Branch District); Cumberland and Overton (Cookeville District); Bedford and Maury (Lawrenceburg District); and Chester and Carroll (Jackson District).
Preliminary reports indicate that three people were killed in three separate crashes in participating “No Refusal” areas, specifically Hamilton, Knox and Wilson counties. None of those crashes was alcohol-related.
Overall, seven people were killed in five total crashes during the New Year’s Eve period, compared to five vehicular fatalities during last year’s period. Two of the vehicle occupants were not wearing seat belts. Additionally, two people killed were pedestrians.
The results for the 16-county “No Refusal” enforcement effort are listed below.
Knox County
DUI arrests: 8
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 0
Sevier County
DUI arrests: 1
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 0
Hamilton County
DUI Arrests: 31
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 1
Marion County
DUI Arrests: 4
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 0
Robertson County
DUI Arrests: 4
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 0
Wilson County
DUI Arrests: 5
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 0
Crockett County
DUI Arrests: 5
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 1
Tipton County
DUI Arrests: 4
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 0
Carter County
DUI Arrests: 4
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 0
Greene County
DUI Arrests: 10
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 0
Cumberland County
DUI Arrests: 3
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 0
Overton County
DUI Arrests: 5
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 0
Bedford County
DUI Arrests: 4
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 0
Maury County
DUI Arrests: 7
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 0
Carroll County
DUI Arrests: 1
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 0
Chester County
DUI Arrests: 0
Refusal to take BAC test/
Search warrants obtained for blood samples: 0