In Minnesota and Ohio, citizens convicted of impaired driving must trade their licence plates for a visually distinct plate which publicly identifies their crime.

A similar program is being implemented in P.E.I., Darius Elias, the independent MLA for Vuntut Gwitchin, told the legislature during Wednesday's question period.

"In an analysis of this, recidivism rates have dropped significantly, between 20 and 25 percent,” Elias told the house.

"Would the minister consider introducing a legislative program like vehicle plate impoundment to help drive down rates of recidivism among Yukoners charged with impaired driving?” he asked Justice Minister Mike Nixon.

Nixon, noting the government's interest in reviewing initiatives in other jurisdictions, agreed to ask his officials to look into the plate concept.

Elias highlighted disturbing statistics, including the fact that the Yukon has the second highest rate of impaired driving in Canada.

"In 2011, there were 327 impaired driving incidents in the Yukon, and in just one week last December, Whitehorse RCMP charged 16 people with impaired driving and suspended the licences of 17 more,” Elias pointed out.

In addition to the plate replacement program, Elias highlighted another program called Curb the Danger in Edmonton.

"Citizens are encouraged to call 911 when they witness an obviously impaired driver, but even if police don't intercept the vehicle, the registered owner receives a letter informing them that they were reported,” the independent MLA said.

"In 2012, Edmonton police received almost 8,000 calls. As a result, almost 800 arrests were made and 175 licences were suspended.”

Nixon highlighted the work underway to address issues of drunk driving in the territory by his own department, the Yukon Liquor Corp. and the Department of Health and Social Services through their addictions treatment programs.

"This government will continue to build the relationship with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD),” the minister said.

"We will continue to build a relationship with the RCMP, with the City of Whitehorse, with bylaw, with organizations such as COPS, and continue to address the rates of recidivism and work at preventing and reducing the amount of drinking and driving that does occur here in the territory,” he said.

Nixon also tabled a motion Wednesday urging "the Government of Yukon to assist Mothers Against Drunk Driving-Whitehorse to engage other governments and agencies to implement a public awareness campaign with both general awareness advertising regarding the Report Impaired Drivers program and targeted signage focused on students celebrating graduation, boaters and snowmobile operators at the Skagway and Haines summits.”

Both the president and vice-president of MADD were in the public gallery.