Parents who drink and drive can expect more severe punishments if they drive with their child in the car. Tennessee’s child endangerment law covers DUI offenses with a child in the car, because the child is put in danger when he or she is in a car with an impaired driver. The broad definition of child endangerment is any act -- or neglect of an act -- that causes a child to suffer physical, emotional, or psychological abuse. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) reported that in 2017, DUI-related accidents were the cause of 220 child fatalities (of 1,147) nationally, and 118 of these were children inside the vehicles of drunk drivers.

Tennessee Drunk Driving Punishments

Adults who are charged with a DUI without a child present can expect jail time and fines, depending on how many previous charges they have received. The following are the penalties a Tennessee motorist can face with a DUI charge:

Driving under the influence (DUI) is illegal in all 50 states. Tennessee passed a bill earlier this year to make the penalties for DUI offenses within a school zone more severe. Since most pedestrians in school zones are children, the need for safe driving is more important in order to keep the young ones protected from injury. The new law, which was introduced and passed in February, states that anyone driving under the influence in a school zone will be subject to double the punishment for an ordinary DUI offense outside of the school zone. For misdemeanor offenders, this means that both fines and prison terms will be doubled.

New Tennessee Law

The new Tennessee law for DUI offenses within school zones also covers:

In Tennessee, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal. It is presumed a drunk driver is liable to pay compensation for any injury or death caused by driving while intoxicated since it is an act of reckless driving. However, there are some cases in which determining liability for causing a DUI-related car accident may not be so easy. Tennessee is one of 30 states that observe a Dram Shop Liability statute, which can place responsibility for DUI accidents on restaurants and/or bars depending on the circumstances.

What Is the Dram Shop Liability Statute?

Under Tennessee law, a licensed establishment that sells alcohol to a person who is may be held liable for damages in an alcohol-related car accident. They may be required to pay compensation for any personal injury or wrongful death caused in the accident as a result of the consumption of alcohol sold. Tennessee limits this “Dram Shop Liability” statute to cases in which restaurants or bars sell alcohol to a clearly intoxicated person or a minor under the legal drinking age.

In Tennessee, serious motor vehicle collisions are common throughout the state. According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, over 208,000 motor vehicle collisions occurred statewide throughout 2018 alone. More than 23 percent of those car accidents resulted in injuries that required immediate medical attention. In all, 48,031 travelers were injured in car accidents in 2018. Tragically, nearly 1,000 people ultimately passed away due to the impact of the collision. 

Below, we will explore the factors in many traffic collisions and injuries, and how you can increase your safety. If you or a loved one are injured in a motor vehicle collision, contact a legal professional right away. 

On the night of February 20, a 30-year-old woman was fatally injured when her vehicle traveled off-road and collided with a tree. The accident, which took place on Shelby County’s Morning Sun Road, occurred around 11 p.m. By the time first responders arrived at the scene, the lone passenger was already dead. 

Driving at night can come with increased risks due to decreased vision and driver fatigue. If you or a loved one are injured in a motor vehicle collision due to another driver’s negligence, it is important to seek skilled legal representation as soon as possible.

Every year, thousands of Americans are arrested for DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs), yet many drivers continue to choose to drive drunk. Drunk driving can come with serious legal ramifications, from potential jail time to substantial fines. Most importantly, those who choose to drive drunk may be held liable for the injuries that result if they are involved in a car accident. In 2016 alone, over 10,000 Americans died in alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents. If you or a loved one are impacted by the negligent actions of a drunk driver, you should understand your options for pursuing compensation for your damages. 

Drunk Driving Injuries in Tennessee

Here in the state of Tennessee, drunk driving continues to be a monumental safety issue. While alcohol-related traffic crashes have declined since 2012, the number of collisions involving inebriated drivers is still staggering. According to Tennessee’s Department of Safety and Homeland Security, there were approximately 6,130 alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents in 2017. In the decade between 2003 and 2012, over 3,400 people lost their lives in accidents involving drunk driving across the state. Tragically, the rate of alcohol-related traffic fatalities is higher among almost every age demographic when comparing the state of Tennessee to national statistics. 

Addressing the Issue 

The number of drunk driving injuries is on the decline here in Tennessee, and a major reason for that is the increased number of drunk driving arrests by law enforcement. State officials have used anti-drinking and driving advertisement initiatives, increases in DUI checkpoints (which are legal in Tennessee), and additional highway patrollers as a means of addressing the issue. As a result, since 2012, a year in which Tennessee witnessed 7,368 alcohol-related traffic collisions, injuries suffered due to drunk driving have declined by 17%.