Whiskey plates revisited

Minnesota issues special license plates to drunk drivers. “Whiskey plates” are issued to drivers involved in an alcohol-related violation. They all begin with “W.” At one time, police could stop someone with a “W” plate for any reason, until the Supreme Court struck down the law.

Robert McGrath, 49, had a DWI citation dismissed, because he was allegedly pulled over only because he had “whiskey plates,” according to the Park Rapids Enterprise.

McGrath is now charged with vehicular homicide in an accident outside Park Rapids late last month that killed a man. Two of the charges say he was drunk at the time.

He no longer had “whiskey plates” on his truck, the newspaper reported.

Question for discussion: Should police be able to pull a driver over with “whiskey plates,” just to check if the person is drunk?