Del. Bill Would Help Save Lives

DOVER, Del.- Rep. Joseph Miro, R- Pike Creeks, wants to establish a yellow dot program in Delaware under a new law he has proposed.

The program is designed to help emergency care workers at the scene of car accidents. The legislation would allow drivers of any age to put a yellow sticker on their cars so emergency responders would know that critical health information is available in the glove compartment.

"Often times we come to a vehicle accident and are unable to speak for themselves, so having that information readily available to us would aid the paramedics greatly," said Dover Fire Department Assistant Chief Michael O'Connor.

O'Connor said the yellow dot program is a good idea and would save lives.

"A lot of times people that should be wearing a medical alert bracelets don't. It is important that in case they have a specific drug allergy, that we don't give them the drug or administer that and make things worse," O'Connor said. He added that having the information readily available saves time and that is important when seconds and minutes count.

Critics of the bill said the information could be stolen from cars and people will know it is in a car because of the sticker.

"It's probably not such a good idea because you're kind of exploiting your medicinal history that involves all your medical pills that could be in the car," said Carrie Cain.

But, Betty Slack said she would sign up for the program.

"It's a good idea that an EMT or a paramedic have that info at hand because it could be a matter of life or death to the person that needs the help," she said.

If made into law, the program would be run by the Department of Motor Vehicles and be voluntary. It would not cost taxpayers any money. Information would include such things as medical conditions like diabetes, epilepsy, and high or low blood pressure, as well as any medications, hospital preferences and emergency contact information.