Tampa doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to drunk driving. It has a reputation across Florida—and beyond—as one of the toughest places to get caught behind the wheel after drinking. Law enforcement here doesn’t just enforce DUI laws; they zero in with laser focus. Every holiday, every weekend, they’re out there like clockwork, and Cinco de Mayo 2025 was no exception. If anything, it was a showcase of just how seriously Tampa-area agencies take impaired driving.
Operation Salted Rim: A Hard Hit on DUI Offenders
This past Cinco de Mayo weekend, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office teamed up w/ Tampa Police and Temple Terrace PD to launch “Operation Salted Rim.” That name might sound cheeky, but the results were dead serious. Over the span of just a few days, they racked up:
- 41 DUI arrests
- 349 total traffic stops
- 23 issued citations
- 326 warnings
That’s not just a handful of bad luck arrests. That’s a coordinated effort, with saturation patrols and zero tolerance. It’s clear: if you’re driving impaired in Hillsborough County, they’re coming for you. Read the full HCSO press release here.
Why Tampa Takes DUI So Seriously
This region’s strict stance on DUIs isn’t random. Hillsborough County has been a hotbed for DUI crashes and fatalities in the past, and public pressure has pushed agencies to respond with fierce enforcement. There’s little patience for excuses here. The local courts back law enforcement, too. Prosecutors push hard for convictions, and judges rarely go soft on sentencing. Back in March, Tampa law enforcement ran a similar campaign during St. Patrick’s Day.
What to Do Immediately After a DUI Arrest in Tampa
The first moments after an arrest are critical. Your mind might be spinning, but there’s a few things to get right—right away.
- Stay quiet. Don’t explain, don’t argue. Anything you say will be used.
- Demand a lawyer. Firmly, politely. Do not agree to extra questioning.
- Don’t take field sobriety tests if you can legally refuse. They’re subjective and often used against you.
- Get out on bond as soon as possible and contact a local DUI attorney familiar with Hillsborough County courtrooms.
Why The Ticket Clinic Is Built for Tampa DUI Cases
Not every lawyer knows how to navigate the thickets of Tampa’s DUI prosecution machine. The Ticket Clinic does. Their DUI and criminal division includes former prosecutors, trial lawyers who’ve handled thousands of cases—many right in the downtown Tampa courthouse.
They’ve been in the trenches. They know which judges lean conservative, which prosecutors might push for reduced charges, and what defenses work best under Tampa’s unique enforcement landscape. Breathalyzer errors, improper stop protocols, arrest procedure violations—they’ve seen it all. More importantly, they know how to use those flaws to fight back.
Our Tampa office is located at:
602 South Dale Mabry Highway
Tampa, FL 33609
Your Move: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
If you or someone you know got swept up in this Cinco de Mayo DUI blitz—or any DUI arrest in Tampa—don’t wait and hope it disappears. It won’t. The earlier a legal team gets involved, the more options you’ll have. The Ticket Clinic’s DUI & Criminal Division offers free consultations, and their team is on call to act fast, preserve evidence, and begin building your defense.
