Proposed Oklahoma law would mark the driver licenses of convicted drunk drivers

Glynn Birch, the President of MADD.
He may be against drunk driving, but he's nobody's mother.

Oklahoma City, OK

A proposed law in Oklahoma appears to be among the first in the nation that would require convicted drunken drivers to have a special mark placed on their driver's licenses.

Lawmakers hope the designation, which would remain on licenses for up to four years, will induce bartenders and others to refuse to sell as much alcohol to those with previous drunken driving convictions.

But the proposal has been criticized by civil liberties advocates and questioned by activists.

"I think it is yet another example of an attempt by the legislature to put a scarlet letter on some of its citizens," said C.S. Thornton, the legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma. "It seems like they are trying to stigmatize someone just to heap on punishment. But the effect of that particular punishment is questionable. What is that really going to do to reduce drinking and driving?"

States have tried a variety of ways to combat drunken driving, including suspending licenses and using car ignition locks that require alcohol breath tests. Three states require some drunken drivers to use special license plates. Virginia and New York have proposed to do same, but other states have a tried and abandoned similar license plate measures.

No states currently require convicted drunken drivers to have a notation on their licenses, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

In a statement, Mothers Against Drunk Driving president Glynn Birch said, "MADD focuses on research-based, scientific efforts that will result in reduced repeat offenses." MADD supports such measures as ignition locks and license revocation as the best ways to reduce drunken driving. More >>

New law would designate DUI, DWI convictions on drivers' licenses

Oklahoma City, OK

Is big brother becoming bigger and more brotherly?

A state lawmaker wants anyone with a drunk driving conviction to have it noted on their driver's license.

Democratic Rep. Scott Inman of Del City says the measure would reduce the number of alcohol-related deaths by putting bars and nightclubs on notice that the person has a history of drinking and driving while intoxicated.

Inman says the designation would remain on the license for up to four years. It would only be removed if the person received no additional drunk driving convictions during that time.

Inman says the problem of drinking and driving isn't getting any better in the state. In 2005, 283 out of 802 total traffic fatalities were alcohol related -- the highest number of alcohol-related traffic deaths since 1997. More >>