Taking the war against drunk driving to the next ridiculous level, states are now passing laws that require persons convicted of driving under the influence to put special "scarlet letter" license plates on their vehicles to let the world know about it. The trend started in Ohio.

A new state law in Ohio requires judges to brand convicted drunk drivers with special “scarlet letter” license plates — with red numbers on a yellow background so other motorists will know exactly what they’ve done. Though the crimson-numbered plates have been a sentencing option for the past 37 years, Ohio Municipal Judge John Adkins was one of the few to use it as punishment for DUI before the state law mandate went into effect.

A similar law is working its way through the Illinois legislature.

What about the innocent spouse, friend or child of the driver who takes the car out for a spin? What right does the state have for branding them? If a person is a dangerous driver, take away their license. If they are licensed, let them alone. And leave their property alone.

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