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TBI: DUI arrests rise in city, Tennessee in 2014 (interactive)

Officer Gary Frisbee demonstrates how the new mobile Intoximeters work while parked at the Police Services Center. Chattanooga police received two of the new units from TBI.
Officer Gary Frisbee demonstrates how the new mobile Intoximeters work while parked at the Police Services Center. Chattanooga police received two of the new units from TBI. Officer Gary Frisbee demonstrates how the new mobile Intoximeters work while parked at the Police Services Center. Chattanooga police received two of the new units from TBI.

By Shelly Bradbury 3 min read

Total DUI arrests, 2014

* 944 — Chattanooga Police Department * 1,238 — Tennessee Highway Patrol, District 2 * 29,554 — Total DUI arrests for all of Tennessee Source: Chattanooga Police Department, Tennessee Highway Patrol, TBI

More Tennesseans were arrested for driving under the influence in 2014 than 2013, according to a new annual report from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Across the state, law enforcement agents arrested 29,544 people for DUI — 639 more arrests than in 2013, according to the report, which must be submitted to the Tennessee House of Representatives and Senate each year by Feb. 1.

DUI arrests also increased locally during 2014 — both Chattanooga police and the Tennessee Highway Patrol arrested more drivers in 2014 than 2013.

Both departments credited a change in techniques for the jump in arrests. Police said they ramped up their focus on bar owners during 2014 to encourage them to stop serving intoxicated customers and to help heavy drinkers get home safely.