A Ohio law offers those convicted of DUI the option of maintaining driving privileges while their license is suspended if they display a distinctive yellow and red plate on their vehicle:
A new law went into effect Jan. 1 and stipulates drivers convicted of DUI will be required to have these special license plates for the duration of their driving suspension in order to have driving privileges.
These plates, which are yellow with red letters and numbers, are markedly different from Ohio’s regular white and blue license plates. Although the punishment has been available to Ohio judges since 1967, very few of them have chosen to use it.
I take it the “scarlet” letter plates are intended to serve as a deterrent and help authorities identify potentially dangerous drivers. I’m not convinced, however, that the presumed stigma will be a very strong deterrent against DUIs. And an obvious problem with the punishment is that it attaches to the vehicle, not the driver. So a family member or anyone else driving it serves the same sentence.
One thing is clear regarding these plates: other drivers will likely play more attention to the cars bearing them.
Via Wizbang.