Increased DUI Enforcement in Williamson County Through Labor Day

The Tennessee Governor’s Highway Safety Office is coordinating several local jurisdictions including Williamson County to increase DUI patrols through the Labor Day holiday on September 7th. The statewide campaign, “Booze it and Lose it,” is part of a nationwide effort to prevent drunk driving injuries, fatalities and the economic losses associated with drunk driving accidents. The campaign calls for increased law enforcement and public service messages in order to bring awareness of the problem to the public.

Impaired driving and the crashes that often ensue when someone gets behind the wheel after having consumed too much alcohol is one of this country’s leading public health challenges. In 2014 there were 6,645 reported crashes that were alcohol-related. Year-to-date there have been 607 deaths in alcohol-related crashes in Tennessee.

Stepping up DUI enforcement is customary around holiday weekends

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that the number of crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers always increases in the summer and on holidays. In fact, the NHTSA states that the higher volume of holiday travelers, including a significantly higher volume of alcohol-impaired drivers cause almost twice as many deaths in auto accidents on the highways during the summer months than occur during the rest of the year combined.

Serious consequences for DUI in Tennessee

The penalties for even a first time DUI conviction are significant in Tennessee: fines between $350 and $1500, 48 hours in jail, DUI traffic school and a possible 11 months and 29 days in jail. Administrative penalties will also include license revocation, and you may face the installation of an ignition interlock device, participation in a drug and alcohol treatment program and the payment of restitution to anyone who was injured if there was an accident.

The penalties and consequences you face will vary depending on the circumstances surrounding your DUI arrest and your BAC (blood alcohol concentration). If this was not your first DUI or if you were involved in a crash where there were injuries or even fatalities, jail times and fines can go even higher.

If you are facing DUI charges in Tennessee, working with competent and experienced legal counsel can save you money and jail time. You are welcome to contact the Law Offices of Adrian H. Altshuler & Associates to make an appointment at one of our offices in Franklin, Columbia or Brentwood.