tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422918616372417238.post4173582776403052791..comments2023-08-28T05:00:22.511-04:00Comments on REDUCE COLLISIONS, INJURY AND DEATH IN TORONTO: The Anonymity of DrivingTim Burrowshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05454634697501889479noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422918616372417238.post-20486680304355538072009-12-10T11:44:02.676-05:002009-12-10T11:44:02.676-05:00I actually did see a "DUI" license plate...I actually did see a "DUI" license plate here in South Carolina a few weeks ago. "DUI505" or something. Then, researching it later, I found this interesting article: http://www.duianswer.com/library/dui-license-platesa-shameful-trend.cfm<br /><br />For some traffic crimes, the very idea of a "scarlet letter" might be a deterrent (no mother would want others to know that she went speeding through a school zone). But for others -- including DUI -- I'm not so sure. There are underlying psychological problems with crimes like that, and just as the death penalty has been shown not to deter violent crime, harsh public penalties for crimes where the offender "couldn't help it" may not, either.<br /><br />And yes, I understand that "helping it" is a choice. So perhaps much more effective deterrents would involve keeping the offender off the street altogether for a week (minor offenses) or longer?Christa M. Millerhttp://cops2point0.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422918616372417238.post-54561797450949779892009-12-10T10:23:43.484-05:002009-12-10T10:23:43.484-05:00It's amazing that a registered license plate i...It's amazing that a registered license plate isn't a deterrent by itself. You're broadcasting who you are but I don't think the public realizes that you can use a plate to report a driver racing down a residential street or driving aggressively. <br /><br />I know if I saw a guy randomly throwing knives in the air while walking down Queen Street, I'd probably let the police know. <br /><br />Now if that same guy was leap-frogging on the Gardiner Expressway, cutting people off and such, not many would do anything (the current cellphone ban makes this a little hard to do). How many people actually memorize a plate and call it in? I don't know how common this is so perhaps Tim can jump in. Is it common? <br /><br />I think there's a climate that people simply expect this kind of behavior even though they admit, as recently as your poll, how much this driving behavior troubles them and upsets them. They don't seem to do much about it.Cindy Smith, Editor, Education for the Driving Masseshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01772807676288465948noreply@blogger.com