In Tennessee, drunk driving prevention is an important function of the state's law enforcement agencies. So important that some employees of the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) have alleged there is an unwritten requirement that troopers make a certain number of DUI arrests every year.
DUI checkpoints: they look good on the news
Memorial Day kicks off summer enforcement season
With the Memorial weekend close at hand, the state troopers from Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama announced their summer "Border to Border" campaign to encourage safe driving, and for those drivers who fail to meet that standard, they will be happy to provide a ticket.
Trusting the black box
In many places, we encounter what is sometimes referred to as "black box" technology. This type of technology has become more and more commonplace, and with it, the need to trust without really understanding.
Accuracy of Breathalyzers called into question
Law enforcement in most states, including Tennessee, rely on breath testing equipment to assist in determining whether a driver they have pulled over for a DUI. The machines appear to be the perfect device to quickly determine blood alcohol content (BAC) of a driver, providing scientific evidence to present in court and obtain a conviction.
Anyone can make a poor choice
Humans are fallible. We make mistakes. Sometimes, they are minor. We forget an anniversary or to stop at the grocery store on the way home to purchase an essential ingredient for dinner. Others are longer lasting and more problematic. Many criminal charges begin with a momentary bout of poor judgment.
