Did you know that drivers can get a DUI, even if they’re sober? This sounds crazy, but it’s something people have been struggling with, especially in Tennessee. Police officers made 419 sober DUI arrests which is an increase from 45 during the previous year. 

Tennessee police make 419 sober DUI arrests 

Over the past few years, Tennessee police officers have made 2,500 sober DUI charges. Reportedly, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reports that the drivers were later proven sober. 

But they still faced arrests, court charges, lost jobs, harmed reputations, and emotional trauma. According to Fox 17, there were 45 sober DUI arrests in 2023, and this figure jumped to 419 in 2024. 

The TBI shares that some media reports stated that results with no alcohol/intoxicants mean a driver is sober, but that might not be the case. There are substances that impair drivers that may not be detected through screening processes. 

Drivers could be impaired in traffic due to fatigue. Driving tired is just as dangerous as driving drunk. Other medical issues can lead to charges, even without a positive breathalyzer test. 

People don’t understand why they’re arrested even after their blood toxicology reports come back clean. The department hasn’t disclosed which substances may cause a driver to be impaired, but won’t appear during tests. 

Alcohol is often considered to be straightforward, but drug toxicology can be more complex. Senator Raumash Akbari hopes to work with law enforcement and other lawmakers to add more legislation to help reduce the issue. 

Previous investigations reportedly show pressure to make sober arrests, leading to the charging of innocent people. The super DUI arrests were previously not released to the public due to privacy restrictions. 

She explains, “You don’t want people to experience the nightmare of a false arrest with the financial, psychological, and emotional issues involved. Plus, we don’t want people who are truly intoxicated on the road potentially injuring or killing themselves and others.”