The Ohio State Highway Patrol, with its iconic winged wheel logo, isn’t always popular with motorists, but everyone on the road should remember that the agency’s efforts make travel and our communities safer.

Lt. Barry Call has taken over as commander of the Ironton Post, meaning he will have to fill the shoes of longtime and respected officer Michael Gore.

But the fact that Call has spent his career at the Gallipolis Post bodes well and means he has an understanding of Appalachia.

One of the things he has identified as a priority is continuing the patrol’s efforts to crack down on drug couriers and traffickers. This has been an emphasis in recent years and can likely be taken to another level.

It doesn’t mean the OSHP is profiling motorists but simply enforcing the existing laws. The reality is many of the individuals transporting drugs on our highway systems don’t follow traffic laws and are easy targets.

So, a focused patrol effort can help clean up our communities.

We also hope to see Call and the patrol continue to have a presence within the city limits of Ironton, a move that isn’t popular with some residents but is greatly appreciated by those who want our streets to be safer.

The Ironton Police Department is understaffed and often has other priorities, so traffic violations are rarely the focus.

Anything Call and the Ohio State Highway Patrol can do to make Lawrence County safer is greatly appreciated by law abiding citizens.