As citizens, we want our roadways to be safe, whether we are driving, walking or riding a bicycle. This doesn’t seem to be too much to ask.

But we all know that not everyone follows the law when it comes to being safe on roadways. Unfortunately, some drivers speed, run through stop signs or red lights, drink and drive or are under the influence of drugs. There will always be people who choose to endanger their own lives and the lives of others, and while there’s no way to completely put a stop to it, there could be a way to put a dent in it when it pertains to driving under the influence.

Senate Bill 123 has been filed by state Sen. John Schickel, R-Boone County, and would require a doctor, nurse practitioner, paramedic or emergency medical technician to report opioid overdose patients to the commissioner of the Department of Vehicle Registration in the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. The cabinet would then notify the overdose patient that his or her license was suspended, and the driver would have 20 days to request a hearing. If no hearing is requested within that time frame, the right to the hearing would be waived and driving privileges could not be restored until a medical professional certifies that the overdose patient has been free of opioid use for at least 90 days or that the person’s opioid use is controlled by the use of medication.

Thankfully, our city hasn’t seen as many opiate overdoses as northern Kentucky, but it is clear measures such as SB123 are needed statewide, because opiates could move into our area. Not only are these drugs causing unnecessary deaths, they are affecting the finances of law enforcement departments where drugs such as heroin and fentanyl are prevalent. That’s an unnecessary burden on the taxpayers. This is common-sense legislation that has the support of county attorneys, commonwealth’s attorneys and the Fraternal Order of Police.

Warren County Attorney Amy Milliken put it best about the legislation when she said that any bill that helps keep the public safe on the roads should be pursued.

We urge the legislature to pass this important legislation in a timely manner in an effort to keep our roads safer.

There will always be people who choose to endanger their own life and the lives of others, and while there’s no way to completely put a stop to it, there could be a way to put a dent it in when it pertains to driving under the influence.