NY May Issue Special License Plates To Drunk Drivers

[matcom]

<snip>

ALBANY, N.Y. -- It would be sort of a scarlet letter for drunken drivers.

Lawmakers in New York State are considering special license plates for repeat DWI offenders. The specific letters or numbers on the plates haven't been decided.

The bill's sponsors said the DWI plates would help police and would allow them to stop the car without further cause.

Critics said the special DWI plates would carry a stigma. But supporters counter that's the whole point. The proposal would mandate the DWI plates for anyone convicted of drunken driving three times in five years.

http://www.wftv.com/automotive/4620640/detail.html

[pnb]

1. I've got no problem with the scarlet letter aspect

But it is still wrong to pull people over based solely on that tag. You should still need some sort of cause to do that.

[trotsky]

2. They do that here in Minnesota.

Our regular plates have a little bit of graphics on them - some trees, lakes, etc.

The offender plates have blue characters on a plain white background. The characters on the plates always start with "W" (how appropriate, eh?) but around here that makes us call them "Whiskey" plates.

I didn't even learn this until a couple of years ago. Very enlightening when people drive up to the grocery store, etc. Yeah, there's a stigma attached. And a good thing, IMHO.

[flvegan]

3. Good idea, but I'm not too keen on the whole

"stop the car without further cause" idea. Sure, they should have more power to pull someone over if they remotely suspect the driver has had a drink, but just to pull them over for having that tag...I don't know.

[johnnie]

4. I don't like the idea

Sure drunk driving is not a good thing, but so are many other things. I guess they think it will be a deterrent for people not to drive drunk. Yeah, that will work. :eyes:
Or is it supposed to be so that when you are walking down the street and you see one of those plates you can jump out of the way "just in case".
And as pointed out in the article, "the DWI plates would help police and would allow them to stop the car without further cause." That's complete bullshit. If you have done your time, then that's it.

[matcom]

5. bingo

we are in complete agreement

[MemphisTiger]

8. I agree

If you treat someone like a drunk they will act like a drunk.

[pnb]

9. If someone drinks and drives

They will act like a drunk

[MemphisTiger]

10. Okay

:eyes:

[pnb]

11. Funny

I thought the same thing about your comment.

[MemphisTiger]

12. Aren't we in a fiesty mood today

[arwalden]

6. What About Other Family Members Who Drive The Same Car?

[Blue Diadem]

7. Already have that law in Ohio

I didn't know about it until I saw a car parked in front of us with yellow/orange license plates. Hubby told me that's what they were.

They really do stand out.