Specialized License Plates for Drunk Drivers

More States are creating legislation that could mandate specialized license plates for repeat DWI and DUI offenders

Over the past several years, no less than four states have attempted to pass legislation that would mandate specialized license plates for repeat driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving under the influence (DUI) convictions in hopes that the plates would increase road safety. There has been much voiced dissent in each state regarding the stigma the plates may generate, however, Ohio’s legislation passed the bill proposed in their courts, and since that time, drivers who have been convicted of DWI or DUI twice in a ten year span can be ordered to place yellow license plates on their vehicle – “red-flagging” them to police, and to the public.

The bill in California, Assembly Bill 2099, failed in courts just a few months ago. AB 2099 would have required anyone convicted of DWI or DUI more than once in a 10 year span to purchase red license plates for every vehicle they were registered to operate, and at $250 per plate, legislators worried about some being able to afford the plates. Their concern also surrounded the stigma that would accompany driving with the plates. Some argue that’s what the guilty deserve, while others fear for any other family members who will be improperly targeted if driving these red-plated cars. The bill, although many felt was good in theory, was found impractical and the terms overly strenuous, leading to its defeat.

While California has no legislation allowing for these specialized plates just yet, Minnesota and Georgia have joined Ohio as states that mandate coded or colored plates for repeat offenders. With the increasing popularity of this method to curb drunk driving, it will not be surprising when more states follow suite.

The most recent bill proposed in New York asks not for red or yellow plates, but rather a code of either letters or numbers, the belief is that the validity of complaints regarding the “red-lettering” of the public will decrease if the plates look the same with the exception of this DWI or DUI repeat conviction “code”. The guidelines stating who is required to attach these plates are also more lenient than the bill proposed in California. The bill in New York asks that someone convicted three or more times in a five year span be required to wear the plates.

Regardless of those state legislatures that have not passed the proposed DWI and DUI plate bills, their popularity, whether liked or disliked, is on the rise and states across the nation will certainly be meeting them with ever increasing frequency.

Tags: Specialized License Plates

Posted Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Filed in DUI News | Ohio DUI | Permalink | Comments (7)

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OH license plate

Posted by John at 2009-08-17 14:00

Its hard to say don't do it...but its a good start in getting people who drink and drive to stop. Because it can lead to manslaughter when somebody does this and runs over another...i.e. Stallworth

Red Plated

Posted by Wes at 2009-08-27 18:14

I think if we start mandating special colored plates for DUI, then we should have a special plate for everyone.

-Orange Angry Drivers
-Blue Child Molesters
-Green Drug Users
-Rainbow Gay people
-Brown People that do not speak english
etc.......

plates

Posted by Debbie at 2011-02-16 10:19

I like the idea of the blue and green license plate. Let's put it out there, if we are going to have to watch who we are passing. Any more plates than that, we will have to sue for whip-lash, checking everyone out.

Duh.

Posted by Heather at 2011-03-11 09:21

That's ridiculous. How are you going to determine if someone is an angry driver? The only one on that list that makes sense is one for drug users. Even if someone is gay, a perv, or doesn't speak English, what does that have to do with their driving ability??
DUI plates make sense because it'll warn drivers around them to be more cautious.

Drunk drivers license plates

Posted by lona at 2012-01-01 20:51

Your ability to drive has nothing to do with the drunks on the road killing innocent people. Its the drunks that are causing the problem, get them off the road. They should have common sense to not drink and drive in the first place.

It's a good idea but....

Posted by Carrie at 2011-02-15 21:13

I admit that it might make the potential drunk drivers easier to spot, and that many people would like to see DUI offenders stigmatized, but does everyone deserve that? I had a DUI when I was 18 years old and extremely depressed for numerous reasons, and after going through the mandatory alcohol classes and support from friends and family, this is no longer an issue in my life.
I am now 22 and I have not only changed my life, but have influenced my friends and peers to not drink and drive. I feel like these license plates would be a step back for those who have changed their lives, and the family members who would be driving the vehicles of the convicted.

Maybe this should apply to people who have had more than one DUI in the last 10 years, ensuring that these people have consistently been dangerous on the road and not just a person who made had a lapse of judgement years ago.

Carrie go back and read the article...

Posted by CC at 2011-02-16 11:36

Advice for next time your gonna leave a comment...Don't skim the article!!! Your last comment about who this should apply to and why just made you look like a complete idiot...no where does it state this law would apply to success stories!!!! WHY ARE YOU COMPLAINING?????????