The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has launched two new voluntary programs aimed at saving the lives of Pennsylvanians in emergency situations, says State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129). Participation in the Yellow Dot program and the Emergency Contact Information program is free.
Participants in Yellow Dot fill out the program form with an emergency contact, medical contact and medical information; insert it in the program’s folder; and then place it in their vehicle’s glove compartment. A yellow dot sticker affixed to the rear window alerts emergency responders to the availability of information to help them provide better care to crash victims.
The Emergency Contact Information program offers Pennsylvania driver’s license and PennDOT-issued ID holders the opportunity to log into a secure database and list two emergency contacts. Participants can update the information as needed, but only law enforcement officials can view the information in the system. In the event of an emergency, law enforcement can use a participant’s ID to find his or her emergency contact information.
The Yellow Dot program is used only in vehicle crashes, but the Emergency Contact Information program can be used in other emergencies as well as crashes.
For information on the programs, visit Cox’s website and look under the “State Programs and Services” link on the left-hand side.