Monday, August 8, 2011

The Yellow Dot Program for Medical-Alerts

With approximately 32 million drivers in the United States being age 65 or older, a new craze called the Yellow Dot program is gaining nationwide recognition.  The Yellow Dot began in Connecticut in 2002, and it's premise is quite simple.  Drivers affix a yellow dot sticker to the rear windshield of their vehicle, and this would alert emergency rescue workers that the driver has vital information such as a list of medical conditions and prescriptions, a photograph, or emergency contact information stored in their glove compartment.

Alabama's Yellow Dot program has recently generated a lot of interest.  Lora Weaver, program coordinator for the Northeast Alabama Traffic Safety Office, says that she has sent out over 150 information packets to interested people seeking to start programs in their own state or county. Proposals to keep costs down such as not requiring registration are highly favored, also.

This is a great program for all drivers, not just those over age 65. The more information that is available to emergency responders, the better they can care for accident victims of any age and notify the victims' families.

If you would like to see a Yellow Dot program implemented in your city or state, contact your local highway safety governing board for more information.

*Story adapted from "Drivers hot for medical-alert Yellow Dot kits" article found here.