As personal injury attorneys in Hampton Roads, Virginia, we frequently deal with injuries resulting from car accidents caused by drunk drivers. According to a recent article in The Virginian- Pilot, Democratic Delegate Lionell Spruill of Chesapeake, Virginia is proposing a bill that would require repeat drunk drivers to mark their vehicles with bright yellow license plates. The bill, HB 1281, would require people with three or more DUI convictions to keep yellow plates with red lettering on their cars for five years after getting their licenses back.
According to another Virginian-Pilot article, approximately 10 percent of all intoxicated drivers in the Commonwealth of Virginia are caught in Virginia Beach. This information definitely hits too close to home.
If this bill were passed, what would be the result? Would everyone on the road near a yellow tagged vehicle swerve to get out of harm’s way? It seems a good suggestion. Sadly, many of those driving under the influence are managing to fly under the radar. Worse yet, many of them won’t be caught until it’s just too late and someone else has suffered an injury, or even worse-death, at the hands of these reckless drivers. It’s good to see that legislators are recognizing that law enforcement alone is not enough to prevent drunk driving. If implemented, perhaps these yellow tags will save someone’s life or prevent another automobile accident. Maybe the stigma of driving with this yellow tag will send some drunk drivers the message and deter them from getting behind the wheel while intoxicated.
Here at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharpwe hope that you and your loved ones never suffer due to a drunk driver’s negligence. If you have, please contact our firm and we will work with you and your family to help you recover fully from the injuries caused by a car accident, especially one caused by an intoxicated motorist.