New License Plate for Drunk Driving Offenders (Ohio)

WMOA News ^ | Andrew Rex

[Rays_Dad]

Drunk driving offenders will soon have a hard time keeping their past a secret under a new law next year, because they'll have a special license plate on their cars. Julie Hinds with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles describes the new plate saying, "It's bright yellow and red numbers. It's very hard to miss."

The new plates will be issued to all drunk driving offenders in the state of Ohio, whether it's their first offense or their fifth. And, the plates will go on any vehicle that person drives...a personal car, a car used for work, or a car their spouse drives. That's something that attorney Dennis Evans says may go too far. "I can't imagine too many spouses who would want to drop the children off at school in a car with red and yellow plates."

And, Evans says the effects of this new law will be enormous, leading to fewer guilty pleas and more offenders fighting the charge. He adds, "Their neighbors who live down the street from them, who see them drive their car through the neighborhood, will now realize they are a convicted drunk driver."

Even the bill's sponsor, Representative Scott Oelslager, a Canton Republican, says he believes these plates are very strict for first time offenders. He's introduced a "clean-up" bill which would limit the plates only to second time offenders or worse.

[Rays_Dad]

Didn't see this posted anywhere, thought it was interesting. Thoughts? Sorry if repost.

[aimhigh]

Another wimpy solution. They should confiscate the cars!

[lawdude]

Seems child molesters and murderers have more rights than the family of drunk drivers. This will NEVER stand Constitutional muster.

[jtminton]

I like it. Would it be forever?

[clamper1797]

Why don't we just brand the with a big "D" on their foreheads. Oh that's right that darned constitution says we can't

[demlosers]

Drunks will put their car in somebody else's name or lease them from dealers.

[sticker]

MA alredy has a plate for drunk drivers: US Senate 1

[Revolting cat!]

That'll learn them, won't it? In civilized countries you lose your driver's license. Forever. Here in Paradise, they really, r e a l l y punish you!

[Blue Screen of Death]

"It's bright yellow and red numbers. It's very hard to miss."

Good deal. That ought to make it easier for a drunk to find his car in a parking lot. Considerate government there in Ohio.

[Quick Shot]

I'm on your side about this, but with the driving rulings about a 'privilege' and not a 'right'. They might get away with it.

Once you've served your sentence then it should be over.(maybe the sentence is too light). Also after the fact instituting a new penalty is wrong (making past offenders also get these plates).

[sam_paine]

Yet Drinking and then Driving IS NOT completely illegal in the United States. Driving after drinking less than a prescribed amount is legal (0.08 etc), but it can still technically be legal behavior to drink and then get behind the wheel.

If drinking and driving is categorically a menace to society, why do bars have parking lots? Should be just a bus stop in front and that's it, right? And maybe a drop zone for designated drivers to pick you up.

[conserv13]

Driving is a privilege, not a right.

That said, what I really hate is that they keep lowering the limit for DWI. Here in MD it is .08. That is very low, if I drank 2 beers in 1 hour I would be over the limit! I wish they would punish the people who drive sloshed, not the people who merely have a little buzz.

I don't drive drunk at all though because a $20 cab ride is SO much cheaper than a DWI (and having peace of mind of knowing that I won't accidentally kill someone)

[WackyKat]

Completely ridiculous to do this to first time offenders. Government in this country is just getting more heavy handed all the time.

Notice how you rarely hear anyone use the expression "It's a free country!" anymore?

Because it isn't

[KarlInOhio]

Even the bill's sponsor, Representative Scott Oelslager, a Canton Republican, says he believes these plates are very strict for first time offenders. He's introduced a "clean-up" bill which would limit the plates only to second time offenders or worse.

Waaah! I think the plates are a great idea. Judges used to have the option of including the drunk plates in a sentence, but almost never did. It's time we got drunks and Arizonans off of Ohio roads. (When this first came up, Arizona had a red on yellow plate design that looked very much like the drunk plates. Cops checked out Arizonans very carefully)

[Honcho Bongs]

Why can't the state just be honest and try to outlaw alcohol? The crusade against alcohol is just as dishonest now as it was in the '20s.

In the months since Wisconsin lowered the allowable BAC to .08 in response to federal coercion, it's failed miserably to address any of the problems it was alleged it would solve.

Fewer than 3 percent of arrested drivers tested between .08 and .1, the old standard. Meanwhile, the dangerous, chronic repeat offenders continue to drive drunk, way over any limit, past or present.

The Temperance League lives on!

[boxerblues]

The law has been in effect for some time but rarely used. We do see a few cars in the area with these "special" plates but most are repeat offenders. With all the vanity plates issued in Ohio most of these are not noticed at first glance.

[Luke Skyfreeper]

I would never drive drunk (heck, I've never even been drunk), but I don't like this. As someone else noted, government gets more and more heavy-handed. This is an erosion of ALL of our rights.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Will Carrie Nation's picture be on the tag? Will Child molesters have a tag with Jacko's picture with red diagonal line on them?

[meyer]

Even the bill's sponsor, Representative Scott Oelslager, a Canton Republican, says he believes these plates are very strict for first time offenders. He's introduced a "clean-up" bill which would limit the plates only to second time offenders or worse.

Considering that a good portion of the driving population has had one DUI, this might be a good idea. I wouldn't object to repeat offenders having this restriction, provided they don't continue to "dummy down" what is considered "drunk".

[StriperSniper]

The first Star Trek style 'transporter' will undoubtedly be marketed for this use initially. ;-)