Yellow Dot car program speeds help to crash victims

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Yellow Dot car program speeds help to crash victims

By Larry Copeland, USA TODAY

A national program that immediately provides first responders with vital

information about automobile crash victims is spreading rapidly, fueled by the

growing wave of maturing Baby Boomers.

The Yellow Dot program is designed to help crash victims, especially seniors,

communicate with rescuers during the crucial " golden hour, " the first 60 minutes

after a serious crash that can make the difference between life and death for

the critically injured.

It is simple but effective: Participants in the free program receive a yellow

dot to place on their rear window; it alerts emergency services personnel to

look for a corresponding yellow folder in the glove box. That folder contains a

photograph, their medical conditions, prescriptions and other vital information.

In Alabama, the program started in Etowah County in 2009; by June, it will be

operating in 27 counties.

" There's a lot of interest from two different groups, " says Lora Weaver, program

coordinator for the Northeast Alabama Traffic Safety Office, who is adding two

or three counties a month to the program.

" The residents of the state … realize the importance of it, particularly someone

with a lot of medical issues. The second group is the first responders, because

they know when they arrive, if the person is unable to communicate, they know

they can go to the glove compartment and get the information they need, and they

can do it immediately without wasting a lot of time. "

About 30,000 to 40,000 Alabamians are enrolled.

The nation's first Yellow Dot program began in Connecticut in 2002. Yellow Dot

programs, with slight variations from state to state, are in counties scattered

across at least eight other states: Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota,

Massachusetts, Virginia, Alabama and New York. Georgia is among other states

considering the program.

" It is very nice to see innovative programs to address the unique risks

associated with older Americans and car crashes, " says Kissinger,

president and CEO of AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. " Since older individuals

tend to have more medical conditions, are on more medications and are generally

more fragile, this sounds like a well-justified program, especially in light of

the growing number of older Americans. "

" It's a promising approach, " says Adkins, spokesman for the Governors

Highway Safety Association. " Actually, this is one of the goals of automated

crash notification systems. Eventually, when there is a crash, these key data

such as medication needed will automatically be available to EMTs, etc. The

Yellow Dot program may be a system that can be helpful in the meantime. "

Traci Pondick, 47, of Rainbow City, Ala., swears by it.

Her husband Marc's parents, Norman and Ping Pondick of Southside, Ala., enrolled

in Yellow Dot soon after it began in Etowah County. Several months ago, Norman

Pondick, 83, was driving alone in his pickup when he swerved to avoid hitting a

car that had stopped in front of him. He left the road and hit a tree,

lacerating his head.

" The first responders saw the sticker and immediately pulled the folder out, "

says Traci Pondick. " They called Marc. They were worried about the cut on his

head. "

Norman Pondick was air-lifted to University of Alabama-Birmingham hospital in

Jefferson County. The family drove there.

" When we went back to see him, the nurse held up the Yellow Dot folder and said,

'Where did you get this?' Yellow Dot was not in Jefferson County at that time. I

told her about it. She said, 'This is the best thing I've ever seen.' "

Norman Pondick soon recovered. Traci Pondick got her mother to enroll.

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Registered participants in the free Yellow Dot Program receive a folder for the

glove box of their vehicles with personal information, including the name and

health conditions of all regular vehicle users. The folder includes a packet

with detailed medical information and emergency contacts. A yellow decal, or

dot, is placed on the car to alert emergency responders that the information

they need is in the vehicle.

The Yellow Dot Program began in Alabama in Etowah County in 2009 and receives

yearly grants from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

Roanoke police secretary nie said Yellow Dot differentiates itself

from similar programs due to its inclusive nature.

" I think (Yellow Dot) is neat because it doesn't just target the elderly or

people with medical problems, " said. " It's for everyone. "

said residents can sign up for Yellow Dot at the police station as

well as the Randolph County Sheriff's Office.

" It only takes 10 minutes and it's free, " said. " It's very

convenient. " ...

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