State Sen. Ray Haynes, R-Riverside, held a news conference in Sacramento on April 15 with victims of drunk drivers to discuss the passage of Senate Bill 108.
The bill requires repeat offenders of drunk driving convictions to affix a special license plate to their cars. The plates are bright red with white license numbers and have the letters "DUI" on the side.
The special plates will help other motorists on the road to identify habitual drunk drivers, as well as warn them to drive defensively when in close proximity to the vehicle.
A photograph of the DUI license plate prototype is available on Haynes' Web site at http://www.sen.ca.gov/htbin/senator_profile/haynes.
According to Jerry A. Smith, a representative for Haynes, SB 108 was introduced to the public as a matter of public safety, not as an intent to brand, shame or even punish drunk drivers.
"This is a way for ordinary citizens to quickly identify repeat drunk drivers," Haynes said. "If shame and humiliation associated with this bill step on drunk drivers, then it is a beneficial side effect."
If the bill is passed, then the plates may serve as warnings to parents driving with children, to pedestrians about to cross the street and to law enforcement officers, who will then be better prepared for a confrontation when pulling a car over that displays the special plate.
With the passage of SB 108, drunk drivers will be required to report to the Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days of conviction. All license plates registered in their name will be confiscated, and the new DUI plate will be issued for a $250 fee.
According to the California Highway Patrol, more than 93,000 people were arrested for DUIs and 656 people were killed in DUI crashes on California highways in 1995.
"Current law did not prevent 93,000 DUI arrests, nor did it deter those not arrested," Haynes said. "SB 108 is designed to help make an additional 17- percent decrease in fatalities or, hopefully, save 112 lives. I would hope it might reduce fatalities to zero.
"If my bill would cut DUI arrests by 20 percent, then arrests would drop to 74,000 and perhaps the humiliation of wearing DUI license plates would be sufficient to prevent some from driving drunk. If this bill can save just one life, then I think it's worth it."
The potential passage of SB 108 may cause college students to think twice before driving drunk, or else pay the price of a "scarlet letter."
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