Year: 2014
Slow driving can alert police to a potential DUI
When police are looking for drunk drivers, they look for motorists who drive abnormally. Exactly what might constitute “abnormal” can vary greatly from situation to situation. Because alcohol reduces the ability to control motor responses and affects the ability to perceive that reduction, drivers may exhibit a great variation. Some may drive above the speed
Former UT quarterback’s DUI charges dropped
Last week, former University of Tennessee quarterback and radio host Erik Ainge was dismissed. Ainge had been charged with a DUI, “violating the implied consent law and a roadway lane violation,” in July of 2013 by the Knoxville police. At the time of the arrest, a Knoxville police officer had noticed the pickup Ainge had
TN man charged with public intoxication, not DUI, after incident
People generally assume that prosecutors bring drunk driving charges based on some amount of evidence. Whether that evidence is valid or sufficient to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt is a matter for a court to decide, and every defendant has a right to challenge the prosecution’s evidence. After all, police and prosecutors do make
Proposed legislation calls for stricter first-time DUI penalties
The state of Tennessee already imposes some of the most punitive penalties for individuals convicted of drunk driving. In fact, even first-time convicted DUI offenders in Tennessee lose their driving privileges for one year. Additionally, from the time a Tennessee resident’s driver’s license is suspended, he or she is required to install an ignition interlock device
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Drunk driving is dangerous. No one disputes that. That is why legislatures have imposed ever more severe penalties. Because, in addition to making laws, the legislature makes statements, often about behavior or conduct that society approves or disapproves. Society approves of home ownership, so mortgages receive an interest tax deduction and society disapproves of narcotics,
Nothing funny about a DUI in Tennessee
When a Tennessee state police trooper or a local police or sheriff’s deputy pulls you over on suspicion of driving under the influence, you don’t expect special treatment. You hope the law enforcement officer treats you fairly, and that you aren’t singled-out for something more unpleasant, such as abuse or manipulation by the officer. Celebrities,
No refusal really means no refusal
Last weekend marked the beginning of the summer driving season, and it represents the beginning of increased enforcement by the Tennessee Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies in an effort to reduce the number of highway deaths and serious injuries. During the Memorial Day weekend, the THP used increased patrols and various types of
Tennessee Highway Patrol launches Drive to Zero campaign
The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) and the Governor’s Highway Safety Office have announced their “Drive to Zero” campaign, which is designed to reduce highway traffic fatalities to zero. This may seem a somewhat optimistic goal, but the aim of the campaign is laudable, as traffic fatalities remain a significant problem, with thousands of deaths occurring
Chattanooga man charged with vehicular homicide
There was a time when having a few drinks before getting in a vehicle was not seen as alarming behavior. There was even a saying, used as people would leave a bar or party, that they would have “One for the road.” No longer. Drinking and driving are recognized as posing a great risk to
Tennessee man’s 8th DUI probably won’t be the charm
Drunk driving is dangerous, both to the driver and to other motorist in the vicinity. And we all know how campaigns against drunk driving have worked to steadily increase the severity of the punishment for drivers who have been arrested and convicted of a DUI. A recent arrest of a man in Rutherford County, Tennessee