Most Virginia drivers are probably breathing a sigh of relief this week since Va. Gov. Tim Kaine told the General Assembly that he supports doing away with the state’s controversial abusive driver fees. But for those individuals with multiple drunk driving convictions, a new bill before the legislature could mean an even more humiliating punishment: Del. Lionell Spruill has introduced a measure that would require anyone with three or more DUIs to put bright yellow license plates with red lettering on their vehicles.

A similar law has already been enacted in Ohio; that state’s version of the plates is pictured left.

The intention behind the bill is to allow other drivers to identify those people on the road who have been convicted of multiple DUIs. Spruill compares his measure’s intent to that of laws which require the addresses of repeat child molesters to be made public. People with three or more DUI convictions would be forced to keep the plates on their cars for five years after getting their licenses back.

It sounds like a solid idea to us — we were frankly surprised anyone with three or more DUI convictions would still be able to hold a Virginia driver’s license. But don’t hold your breath on it getting passed: Spruill apparently introduced a similar bill last year, but it died in committee.