5MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Five impaired drivers were arrested during a sobriety checkpoint conducted Friday on Rutherford Boulevard in Murfreesboro, according to the Rutherford County Traffic Safety Task Force. Tennessee Highway Patrol Lt. Shawn Boyd said the checkpoint was organized to remove impaired drivers from the road and to remind motorists of the dangers of driving under the influence. Troopers with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, along with Murfreesboro police officers and Rutherford County Sheriff’s deputies, worked together during the operation.

Officials reported that 342 drivers were checked during the checkpoint. In addition to the DUI arrests, two drivers were charged with simple possession of marijuana, and one underage driver was charged with possession of a firearm under the age of 21.

Task force members encouraged anyone planning to drink to arrange for a designated driver or use a rideshare service to avoid impaired driving.

The checkpoint comes as Tennessee continues to strengthen its DUI laws. Recent changes that took effect July 1, 2024, lowered the Blood Alcohol Content threshold for enhanced or aggravated DUI penalties from 0.20 percent to 0.15 percent. The updates also increased mandatory jail time for first-time DUI offenders to a minimum of seven consecutive days, up from the previous 48-hour requirement. Additional changes are expected to take effect January 1, 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to deter impaired driving and reduce serious crashes across the state.