RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN - We’ve entered one of the busiest travel stretches of the year, with families crisscrossing Rutherford County and nearby communities for Christmas gatherings, New Year celebrations, and everything in between. But with the holiday cheer comes a familiar and dangerous problem: impaired driving. Alcohol, drugs, and poor decisions behind the wheel continue to put innocent travelers at risk, and local law enforcement is responding with heightened vigilance.
Rutherford County officers, along with agencies in surrounding areas—including the heavily traveled corridors around Percy Priest Lake—are stepping up both visible and undercover patrols. Their goal is simple: stop impaired or illegal drivers before tragedy strikes.
That effort was on full display during a recent Sobriety Checkpoint on Rutherford Boulevard, where five offenders were taken into custody. Officers say the checkpoint was part of a coordinated push to identify drivers who pose a threat to others on the road.
A similar proactive approach played out in Mt. Juliet, where an officer patrolling the Providence area recognized a 30‑year‑old man from previous encounters. Knowing the man had a suspended license, the officer checked his status, confirmed the suspension, and initiated a stop. What began as a routine traffic violation quickly escalated when a folded piece of paper in the driver’s wallet tested positive for fentanyl. The man was arrested and booked.
Law enforcement leaders across Middle Tennessee say these kinds of encounters are exactly why holiday patrols matter. With more cars on the road and more celebrations underway, the risk of impaired driving rises sharply. Officers are determined to meet that challenge head‑on.
Their message is clear: this is not the time to break the law. Agencies across the region are working together to make sure families can travel safely and enjoy the season without fear. Their presence—on highways, backroads, and neighborhood streets—is meant to protect all of us as we move through Christmas and into the New Year.
