Concerned Citizens in Tennessee

We appreciate the support of concerned citizens who share our passion to keep Tennessee roadways and communities safe! If you are concerned about a situation involving drunk or drugged driving or underage drinking, we have several resources and suggestions that can show you how you can make a difference!

In addition to information for Concerned Citizens found on our MADD National website, below you will find more information and resources specific to Tennessee:

 

I believe a bar/restaurant/store in town is serving underage customers.

 

Federal law prohibits the sale and consumption of alcohol for anyone under 21.  If you have reason to believe that a bar, restaurant, or store in your community is in violation of this law, you can contact the Tennessee Alcohol and Beverage Commission at www.tn.gov/abc to report your suspicions.  At their website, you’ll find phone numbers for each regional office listed under the “Contact Us” page or you can go to the “Public Information and Forms” page to complete “Form AB0095 – Complaint Against Licensee” found under “Other Forms.”  Complaints can be made anonymously, if preferred.

 

I believe a bar/restaurant in town is over-serving customers and/or is a public nuisance.

 

Bars can be held liable for serving “obviously intoxicated” individuals.  They are also not allowed to serve alcohol after 3am in Tennessee.  If you have reason to believe that a bar or restaurant is violating these regulations, you can contact the Tennessee Alcohol and Beverage Commission at www.tn.gov/abc to report your suspicions.  At their website, you’ll find phone numbers for each regional office listed under the “Contact Us” page or you can go to the “Public Information and Forms” page to complete “Form AB0095 – Complaint Against Licensee” found under “Other Forms.”  The form also allows for complaints for a variety of other items such as illegal drug activities, lewd conduct, prostitution, and excessive noise.  Complaints can be made anonymously if preferred.

 

I am concerned that my child/grandchild may be riding with a parent/caregiver who is an impaired driver.

 

MADD believes that every child deserves a designated driver!  If you are concerned about the safety of a child you love, you can email us at [email protected] to request information on Child Endangerment and tips about what you can do to keep your loved ones safe.

  • If they are in your presence when they leave impaired and you were unable to stop them (physically taking the keys is always an option) then you can call the police to report them. If you do call the police, remember that officers are often unable to pull over a suspect simply by a reported phone call. They often must observe suspicious behavior firsthand to have reasonable cause for a stop. You can help officers and give more validity and credence to your report if, when you call, you focus on providing facts, without emotion, when possible.
    1. Give a detailed description of what you may have observed the driver ingest to cause impairment (i.e. # of drinks, type of drinks, time frame they were consumed, type of drug or medication, was it combined with any amount of alcohol?, etc.)
    2. Tell them any behaviors you observed that indicate the driver is impaired (stumbled to the car, dropped keys three times, bloodshot eyes, slurring speech, hit the curb as pulled out, etc.)
    3. Give a good description of the vehicle including the make, model, color, and license plate, if possible.
    4. Provide any information you can about where the driver was going (to the liquor store, to a friend’s house and give address, heading north on Smith Street, etc.)

    These steps may seem severe, but it is important to remember just how dangerous this person’s behavior is and that your actions are out of concern for his/her welfare.

    Finally, many friends and family members worry that their loved ones’ continued habit of impaired driving is tied to the additional problem of addiction. There are many resources available in Tennessee to families who need help with loved ones suffering from addiction. Al-Anonis a nationwide organization to provide such help. Local meetings are available as well as online resources. TN Red Line provides a 24/7 hotline to call for additional help in finding resources in Tennessee related to addiction problems.