NEAT IDEAS DESERVE recognition, particularly ones that do a tangible good without any added cost. Government is not exactly notorious for such so a salute is in order to Georgia State Patrol Trooper Jamie Mitchell of the Rome post and Probate Court Judge Steve Burkhalter for coming up with a new program that permits traffic offenders sentenced to community service to instead purchase car seats. Those are then given to Safe Kids of Floyd County for families that otherwise could not afford them.

Apparently just two DUI convictions have already resulted in 19 car-seat donations. Which should also serve as a pretty good reminder to those who have never heard of “designated drivers” of just how costly it can be to think you are sober when you are not.

And it also prevents other traffic offenses — it is against the law to transport a baby or young child younger than age 8 who are not in a car seat or booster.

There are a large number of “community service” penalties doled out in this community for various offenses. Certainly not all offenders would have the money to come up with “in lieu of” donations (atop the fines they also doubtless received) for good public purposes, but this may well be an approach the court system should consider. It could well have wider applications and benefits.