WPBN: New state legislation will go into effect on January 1, 2025, as we get closer and closer to the year 2025. One of these regulations intends to broaden the scope of those who are eligible for restricted driving privileges.
One of the local advocates discusses the significance of Senate Bill 500 in the state of Kansas.
“Unfortunately, there are well over 3,500 just in Sedgwick County whose licenses were revoked due to failure to pay fines and fees. So, Senate Bill 500 puts them into a restricted status,” Faith Martin with Wichita’s Racial Profiling Advisory Board stated.
In the event that a someone has previously disregarded a traffic citation, the new law will provide them with a further opportunity to drive freely and legally.
Martin stated that the Internal Revenue Service of the state would suspend your license if you failed to pay your bills as a means of encouraging people to pay off their debts.
At the state capitol, Martin has been a strong supporter of the proposals for the new legislation.
“Unfortunately, a lot of these people would drive on suspended because you have to get to work, you have to be able to get to your family and it would just pile up,” Martin stated.
Even if you have a restricted license, you are not allowed to drive anyplace. Therefore, before you put your car in reverse, you should be sure to check the restrictions that are in place in your state.
“So, Senate Bill 500, once it’s enacted will allow people to go to work, allow them to drop their kids off at school, allow [them to drive to] hospital appointments,” Martin stated. “You’d be able to do really the essential things that allow you to participate in society and take care of your family.”
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Hundreds of people in the community are going to benefit from this, she hopes.
“What we’ve done is eliminate a lot of those barriers so that people can get their questions answered,” Martin stated. “So, they can find out what the status of their license is. How many fees? Is it restricted? Is it revoked? Is it suspended? It’s just opening pathways to get people back on the road, which is what we want.”
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