- Tennessee made 2,547 sober DUI arrests from 2017 through 2024.
- 419 sober DUI arrests were made in 2024, the highest annual total.
- Lawmakers say poor training and testing may be driving the trend.
In August of 2025, we reported on the disturbing number of sober drivers charged with DUI in Tennessee with over 600 cases, according to the data available at the time. Among them was a former U.S. Attorney. If someone with that kind of legal background can be jailed over a DUI charge despite being sober, it raises an unsettling question about how easily anyone else could find themselves in the same position.
After taking a closer look, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation found over 2,500 arrests of sober people accused of DUI. The updated figures include 419 arrests in 2024 alone, the highest annual total in the last eight years.
Troubling Statewide Patterns
Among the hardest-hit areas were Tennessee Highway Patrol districts in Nashville, Knoxville, and Jackson, each logging around 40 cases. Other jurisdictions topping the list include the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office, La Vergne Police, and Clarksville Police.
Read: Sober Drivers Are Getting Arrested For DUI And The Reason Will Make You Furious
“I think the list just confirmed that this is a real problem in Tennessee,” said Sen. Raumesh Akbari (D–Memphis), sponsor of the legislation that now requires the release of these totals. She spoke to Fox 17, which has continued to push for the release of this data along with lawmakers.
For those affected, the consequences can be profound. Labreesha Batey, a NASA engineer, was arrested and convicted for DUI despite blood tests showing she was sober. “My reputation, they put a mug shot out there. That alone is threatening my job and my career,” she said.
Unreliable Methods
Sen. Akbari says the data raises questions about law enforcement practices across the state: “Is this a training issue? A procedural issue? Or is it specific to certain counties or agencies?” She plans to work with law enforcement in the upcoming legislative session to explore new legislation aimed at reducing false DUI arrests.
It’s worth noting here that plenty of police in TN don’t use objective test devices like breathalyzers. To that end, they have little objective data to go on beyond their inherently biased opinions. For now, sober DUIs still account for roughly 2.5% of all DUI arrests statewide. 2025 stats aren’t yet available.
