Driving sober is essential—but new data shows it may not always protect motorists from DUI arrests. An investigation by WSMV revealed the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) significantly undercounted arrests in which drivers were charged with DUI despite having no alcohol or drugs in their system.
The TBI initially reported 609 such cases between 2017 and 2023. It later acknowledged the true number was 2,218, rising to 2,547 as of 2024 in Tennessee alone. Updated figures on the TBI’s Crime Insight dashboard show that in 2024, there were 1,883 DUI arrests where toxicology tests found neither alcohol nor drugs in the bloodstream.
State officials have not released 2025 data. In 2024, Tennessee recorded 20,959 DUI arrests—up 6% from the previous year. Authorities told News3Live that factors other than alcohol or drugs can cause impairment and may dissipate before blood tests are taken. Former patrol officers dispute that explanation, alleging internal quotas and job pressure contribute to wrongful arrests.
The issue extends beyond Tennessee. Lawsuits over false DUI arrests have emerged in Colorado and Hawaii. In Colorado, the City of Loveland paid a $400,000 settlement in 2023 to a man wrongly accused of DUI, with the lawsuit alleging a competitive arrest culture. A Fort Collins officer resigned in 2022 over similar conduct, prompting a lawsuit against the department in 2023.
Concerns also center on the reliability of Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs). Critics, including the Oklahoma Bar Association, say SFSTs are often oversold as indicators of impairment or blood alcohol content. DUI defense expert John Hunsucker has argued the tests are frequently administered improperly. Scientific studies have further questioned their accuracy, noting limitations in measuring overall cognitive performance and their inadequacy in detecting impairment from substances like cannabis. Legal experts add that medical conditions, injuries, and hearing issues can cause sober individuals to fail common tests such as the Walk and Turn and One Leg Stand.
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