The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office kicked off "Operation Red, White, and Blue" this weekend. As of Monday afternoon, deputies had conducted 56 traffic stops, which resulted in 27 DUI arrests and six citations issued. HCSO also patrolled the county's waters, stopping 35 vessels, making one BUI arrest, and issuing three marine citations.

"Our primary goal is to safeguard the lives of all motorists, pedestrians, and boaters during the Fourth of July celebrations. Driving under the influence not only endangers the driver but also places innocent lives at risk. We urge everyone to celebrate responsibly and designate a sober driver if alcohol is part of your plans," Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement.

In Pinellas County, sheriff's deputies joined with the Florida Highway Patrol and Gulfport, Largo, Pinellas Park, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater Police for a DUI Wolf Pack operation this weekend. It ran through 5 AM Sunday and resulted in 30 DUI charges.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a drunk driver was involved in 39% of fatal car crashes during the Fourth of July holiday in 2021.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving has long worked to educate the public about the cost of getting behind the wheel while impaired. 

"There is nothing like being told that your child has been killed. It is the worst pain a parent can ever imagine," said Sharon Hall, a program manager with MADD in Tampa Bay.

It's been nearly 15 years since Hall lost her son, Louis. She told Spectrum News he was the passenger in a car with a drunk driver. 

"Everything in our family shifted when our son was killed - everything. Our other children getting married and having their own children," Hall said. "It's a ripple effect."

Hall's son was just 26 years old when he died.

Even when no one is hurt, DUI charges can have long-term impacts on drivers.

"Absolutely life changing," attorney Andrew Buda said of the effect the charges can have on someone's life.

Buda, now a defense lawyer, said he also worked many DUI cases as a prosecutor in Pinellas County.

"When people get DUIs, they often have sticker shock because they have fees from the attorney, they have court costs, they have fees associated with DUI school," Buda said.

According to Buda, first-time offenses can cost anywhere from $5,000-$10,000, and it gets more expensive the more offenses someone racks up. Hall said MADD estimates the average cost of a DUI can run from $13,000-$21,000, but she said she's more concerned with the human toll. She urged everyone who plans to drink on the Fourth to come up with a plan.

"We just want everybody to be safe because really, it could very well be not the person that is drinking and driving that gets injured or killed. It could be that person's family member. It could be your mother, father, brother, sister, or child," Hall said.

In addition to turning to rideshare apps and using a designated driver who won't be drinking at all, AAA is once again offering its "Tow to Go" program in Florida. It will pick people up and tow their cars to a safe location within a ten-mile radius for free. Just call (855) 2-TOW-2-GO.

Meanwhile, law enforcement will continue holiday enforcement on Tampa Bay roads. Operation Red, White, and Blue continued on Tuesday in Hillsborough County, and Pinellas deputies are conducting saturation patrols on the holiday.