Tennessee DUI Roadblocks
Dui roadblocks, or sobriety checkpoints are legal in Tennessee, if established legal guidelines are followed. Tennessee DUI roadblocks are designed to catch drunk drivers, not specifically to apprehend wanted criminals or perpetrators of a recent crime in a specific area. For example, the police will set up temporary roadblocks if a bank robbery has been committed in the area, or if a convict has escaped.
This is different than DUI roadblocks, which must be planned in advance and follow strict procedural guidelines. You can come up on a DUI roadblock anytime day or night, but given the drunk driving statistics, most roadblocks are set up late at night and on weekends. This is when the largest percentage of drunk drivers are on Tennessee roads.
DUI Roadblock Procedures
As cars pass through the DUI checkpoint, Tennessee police officers will ask each driver to roll down their car window and provide a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. If an officer suspects drunk driving because your car smells like alcohol or other drugs like marijuana, or you are weaving as you approach the DUI roadblock, you will be asked to pull over and step out of your car. Another officer will be there to conduct field sobriety tests, a breath test, and eventually a blood test if you are arrested for DUI.
Tennessee police must publicize when and where they plan to set up DUI roadblocks ahead of time. We do not recommend you take chances, and that you plan ahead to have a designated driver.
Further Reading
If you’d like to learn more about Tennessee DUI laws, check out some of our other helpful and informative articles: