RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN - As Rutherford County continues to rank among Tennessee’s fastest-growing communities, Sgt. Austin Watson, a supervisor over the traffic unit at the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office is raising concerns about the dangers of impaired driving. With the county’s population projected to surge in the coming decades, pressure on local infrastructure — and the risks on already busy roadways — are expected to intensify. A study conducted by the University of Tennessee’s Boyd Center for Business and Economic Research estimates Rutherford County’s population will reach 511,987 residents by 2040 and climb to approximately 741,000 by 2070 — growth that leads law enforcement officials to see and expect a more urgent need for roadway safety awareness and enforcement.
Sgt. Watson told WGNS, it's not the DUI arrests that stand out to him when he leaves his shift – It's the DUI related wrecks that end with a fatality...
A Culture of Enforcement and Education - Sgt. Watson, a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) who was recently honored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), emphasizes that safety isn't just about making arrests—it's about changing mindsets. As an example, in 2024 the Sheriff’s Office alone made 361 DUI arrests, contributing to a staggering county-wide total of approximately 800 arrests when including municipal agencies and the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP).
While the numbers are high, the impact is working. Rutherford County saw a 24% reduction in fatal DUI-related accidents in '24. Watson remarked that he has a passion for training other officers in impaired driving enforcement...
The Complexity of Modern Impairment - The conversation around "drunk driving" has evolved significantly. Sgt. Watson noted that while alcohol remains the most prevalent substance due to its status in Tennessee and availability, there is a rising trend in drug-related impairment. This includes:
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Marijuana and Derivatives: The rise of legal hemp derivatives like Delta-8 and Delta-10 has led some drivers to believe they are "safe" to drive, yet these substances can impair motor skills similarly to Delta-9 THC.
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Prescription Medication: Watson warned that even legal prescriptions can lead to a DUI charge if they "mentally and physically impair" the driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely.
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Fentanyl Risks: The presence of illicit fentanyl in "fake pills" (pressed stimulants or depressants) adds a lethal layer of danger for users who may unknowingly ingest the potent opioid before getting behind the wheel.
The Human Toll - The most harrowing part of the job remains the "death notification." Sgt. Watson said it's heartbreaking to tell a family their loved one won't be coming home.
Despite the availability of rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft, many still take the risk to avoid the cost of a long trip into the county or the inconvenience of retrieving a car the next morning. Watson’s message is clear: the cost of a ride is always lower than the cost of a life—or a felony conviction.
