Arrests for consuming and driving are down 27% in Tennessee since 2013.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation stated DUI arrests are down 27% in Tennessee since 2013. That quantities to round 7,000 fewer Tennesseeans arrested for driving beneath the affect.
Bill Miller, a lieutenant with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, stated the introduction of rideshare apps has helped cut back the variety of occasions troopers have pulled folks over for consuming and driving.
Though Lt. Miller stated THP could not draw a direct line between the discount in DUI arrests and the ridesharing apps, he stated they assist cut back the variety of folks driving drunk.
“It’s a tremendous tool for law enforcement because it takes drunk drivers off the road,” stated Miller. “We do feel that will contribute to DUIs and DUI crashes coming down.”
Balter Beerworks Manager Patrick Butler stated the downtown Knoxville bar encourages individuals who drink an excessive amount of to go away their automobiles in the parking zone and have another person drive them house.
Butler stated it is a lot simpler to make use of rideshare apps in Knoxville than it was to discover a taxi earlier than the apps have been launched.
“It’s a lot easier to not drink and drive,” stated Butler.
Garrett Keith, a court docket monitoring specialist for Mothers Against Drunk Driving agreed.
“Right now is the best time ever in life not to drink and drive,” Keith stated.
Keith stated rideshares in Knoxville normally price round $30 for a spherical journey, less expensive than a DUI.
“In the best-case scenario, a DUI with no wreck or injury is going to cost someone $350 to $1,500,” Keith stated.
Between 2019 and 2021, nonetheless, statewide accidents involving alcohol are up by 5%. Despite the current rise, the general numbers are down from 2014.
Miller stated the important thing for folks desirous to exit and drink is to have a plan for coming house. Those can embody designating sober drivers earlier than heading out or utilizing rideshare apps.