Cherished Number Plates News

Sex Offenders To Get Fluorescent Number Plates

15 October 2008

Lawmakers in the US state of Ohio said they want to force convicted sex offenders to use a fluorescent-green number plate on their cars so they can be easily identified by others

A Republican and a Democrat in the state legislature have joined forces to propose the law, which echoes measures in several US states that require convicted drunken drivers to use a yellow, pink or red number plate on their cars, again so that they can be easily identified.

"The fluorescent-green number plates will make the most egregious sex offenders easily identifiable," state Democratic Representative Michael DeBose said in a statement.

Police said the green plates would allow them to track sex offenders, who are already required to register with the local sheriff's office and are prohibited from living within 300 metres of a school.

"It will give Ohio families a great peace of mind knowing that their children will be able to recognise where this danger exists," said Summit County Sheriff Drew Alexander.

Opposition to the plate said that the plates would stigmatise everyone who uses the sex offenders car including his/her spouse and children. It has also been argued that such a plate may leave the vehicle and its owner open to attack and vandalism.

The proposed law will be debated in committee before a decision is made whether to put the proposal to a vote.