License plates, special; persons convicted of DUI third or subsequent time to use. (HB1281)

Introduced By

Sen. Lionell Spruill (D-Chesapeake) with support from co-patron Del. Bob Hull (D-Falls Church)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Driving with special license plates after conviction of DUI. Requires persons convicted of drunk driving a third or subsequent time who have registered motor vehicles in Virginia to use yellow license plates with red letters and numbers for a five-year period. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
01/09/2008Committee
01/09/2008Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/08 080705740
01/09/2008Referred to Committee on Transportation
01/22/2008Referred from Transportation
01/22/2008Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
01/24/2008Assigned Courts sub: Criminal
01/28/2008Impact statement from DPB (HB1281)
02/08/2008Continued to 2009 in Courts of Justice

Comments

L. Lawless writes:

No, no, no, no, no!!! Every time a class of people's rights are eroded, yours could be next. Impose the legally mandated consequence and be done with it!

I certainly understand the pain that has been caused by drunk drivers, but this is public shaming - not a rational or effective consequence. Let's just put up the stockades and stick drunk drivers there for a few days. That is no less humiliation than this. When did the government get to be about shaming instead of punishment and, dare I say it, rehabilitation?

Waldo Jaquith writes:

I'm not really sure what the point of this is. Are we to flip the bird to the driver of the car? Honk? Assume them to be drunk at that very moment, and pull over and wait a few minutes, to be safely out of the way?

How awful to be the child or spouse of somebody punished in this manner. I guess the rest of the family just has to give up driving.

John writes:

The law already states that a person convicted of a third offense must show that at the time of their arrest, they were dependent on alcohol. In order to get their license back, they must prove to a judge that they are no longer dependant. Are these plates for recovering alcoholics?

Scott White writes:

This bill is pure nonsense.

Too easy to get around, and you are right Waldo. What if my daughter uses my car?

This bill is just fodder to clog up and already clogged up GA.