The "No Refusal Law" is in effect in Tennessee which removes any chance a driver believed to be impaired by drugs or alcohol can refuse a blood test.
When you drive on the roads in Tennessee you have given implied consent to participate in road side sobriety tests or use a breathalyzer and now you cannot refuse to provide a blood sample for testing. For drivers with a history of driving impaired or if there is anyone injured due to impaired driving the blood test is mandatory. It is also required if the law enforcement officer believes someone is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and there is a child under the age of 16 in the car. In fact the only situation where a suspected DUI is not automatically taken for a blood test is for the first time offender and based on the changes to the law even they cannot refuse because enforcement agencies can now obtain a warrant.
Law enforcement agencies have stepped up road block check points to spread awareness of new provisions to the law. New Years Eve was the first No Refusal Weekend under the new law with roadblocks leading to 31 arrests in Hamilton County. Officers are trained to spot individuals that may be impaired by drugs, even prescription medication. The blood test will provide effective evidence in cases where alcohol is not the contributing factor to DUI. The No Refusal Law will help law enforcement agencies to collect evidence that should contribute to reducing danger for drivers on Tennessee roads.
