Ohio has changed a previously optional punishment for DUI with a mandatory one: a special “scarlet letter” license plate, with a bright yellow background and red letters.
Hmmmm …
On the one hand, makes sense. It warns others. It’s using public shame to motivate (or disincent). And the claim that it impacts others in the family rings a little false, too (especially when coming from folks who don’t seem to cavil at risking their family members with their drinking and driving).
On the other hand, I can’t help but fear the law of unintended consequences here. Will the potential risk of such public humiliation alter behavior? Well, that’s the idea, of course, but are there other possible alterations? Like more drunks trying to flee the police, causing crashes? Different pleading patterns? Other such stuff? One wonders.
And, of course, that states keep rating downward the level of drunk driving (with pressure from the Feds) does cause one to wonder whether we’re talking about Serious Menaces to Society, or Unlucky Folk being so punished and stigmatized.
Just thinking out loud here. It does seem a seductively clever punishment. That’s what worries me.