Legislation sponsored by Senators Bob Singer (R-Monmouth/Ocean) and Richard J. Codey (D-Essex/Morris), which would implement a “Yellow Dot Program” to provide emergency responders with vital health information about motorists at accident scenes, was passed by the full Senate.

“This measure gives our responders critical health information and a better chance of reviving our motorists in life-threatening circumstances, who cannot communicate,” Singer said. “Yellow Dot programs have proven to be an effective, relatively simple initiative in several states, including Connecticut, New York, Virginia. This is worth our every effort, as you can’t put a price on saving lives.”

“In many cases, the ‘Yellow Dot Program’ is going to save lives. When an accident occurs, victims may not have the ability to inform emergency care workers of any medical conditions they have. The sticker would let emergency responders know where to check for information that could be vital to people’s health, even survival, while saving considerable time,” added Codey.

The legislation, S-71, would give motorists of any age the option of placing a yellow sticker on their vehicles in order to notify emergency responders that critical health information is available in the glove compartment in case the driver is unable to communicate during an emergency. Information would include such things as medical conditions like diabetes, epilepsy, high or low blood pressure, allergies, heart conditions, as well as any medications, hospital and doctor preferences and emergency contact information.

An identical bill is pending in the Assembly. TLS.