Response Time Enhanced by National Program to Reduce Severe Injuries in Modesto Car Accidents

 Our Modesto car accident attorneys know that the "golden hour," or the first 60 minutes after a car crash, are the most critical in terms of saving or losing a life. States that are participating in the Yellow Dot car program are seeing some success in saving lives, according to a recent article in USA Today. This is especially true for senior citizens involved in car accidents who can't always communicate special needs to first responders. The Yellow Dot program signals rescuers to a folder in the glove compartment which contains medical and other pertinent information, which allows the first responder to act quickly in caring for the victim.

California does not currently participate in the Yellow Dot program, but citizens involved in car accidents in Stockton, Modesto and elsewhere throughout the state would highly benefit if the program were implemented since California typically leads the nation in traffic fatalities each year.

In 2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported more than 3,000 traffic fatalities in California. It was reported that 15.2 percent (467) of traffic fatalities were of elderly drivers 65 and older.

The Ledger Dispatch recently reported about a string of accidents that kept first responders on their toes in Amador County. The Yellow Dot car program could have been beneficial in at least one accident that reported three senior citizens who were badly hurt when they were struck by a drunk driver. All three survived the crash but were taken to the hospital to be treated for severe injuries.

The Yellow Dot program was launched in Connecticut in 2002 with the intention to help save older drivers in car crashes, according to an article in the Senior Journal. https://askcompetentlawyer.com/ Senior citizens with medical issues can't always communicate special needs following a crash, so the Yellow Dot program communicates for them. Citizens sign up for the free program and receive a yellow dot sticker to place in the rear window of their vehicle. The sticker alerts first responders to look in the glove compartment for a corresponding yellow folder which contains a personal photo, medical information, prescription medications, allergies and other important medical information such as hospital references and phone numbers of doctors or family members.

Alabama is the most avid participant with at least 30,000 citizens enrolled in the program. Other states that have joined are Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, Virginia, Massachusetts, New York and Minnesota.

AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and Governors Highway Safety Association are two national organizations that show support for the Yellow Dot Car program.

"It is very nice to see innovative programs to address the unique risks associated with older Americans and car crashes," says Peter 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."

You have likely heard the expression, "time is of the essence." The Yellow Dot program reiterates the importance of not wasting time to save the lives of crash victims. California motorists are advised to keep their own folder containing important medical conditions or drug allergies that can easily be found by first responders in order to expedite medical attention given to the crash victim.