Zero tolerance polices are the last refuge of the incompetent tyrant. There is nothing logical, reasonable or rational about them. They are the epitome of unthinking knee-jerk reaction in lieu of legitimate public policy.

These policies are the culmination of failed social experimentation or draconian public policy such as any form of prohibition. Their attitude is if the populace will not obey the law we will make the enforcement and penalties so blatantly unreasonable they will HAVE to follow the rules.

What these types miss, of course, is this tactic only reduces FURTHER, if that is possible, any respect for the law and for authority. And this loss in respect is not limited to the original topic. Basically it is the last gasp effort of a failed policy to try and legitimize itself... and this tactic fails as much as the policy it seeks to enforce has already failed.