OLYMPIA — A symbol as simple as a yellow dot in a vehicle’s rear window might just make all the difference in an emergency.
State Rep. Jim Moeller is prime-sponsoring legislation to establish a voluntary Yellow Dot Program for motor vehicles, the idea being to make sure emergency responders are alerted about any medical conditions and related issues for motorists and passengers.
“The yellow dot, a decal, would be placed on the lower part of the driver’s side of the vehicle’s rear window,” Moeller explained. “Medical responders and law-enforcement folks would then know to search the vehicle’s glove compartment for an envelope containing important and appropriate medical information for the driver or passenger.”
He said the information in the envelope would include the person’s name, his or her photo, emergency-contact information, and current medical details about the person’s health conditions, recent surgeries, allergies, medications, and any relevant information about the participant’s personal physician.”
The date of the most recent update of the enclosed information would be included on the folder.
“It’s very important to make sure responders are made aware of any pre-existing medical conditions so that the most appropriate emergency treatment can be applied,” Moeller stated.
“This type of medical information is extremely important for responders to know in the first hour after an accident or some other medical emergency,” he said. “This first 60 minutes is called the ‘golden hour’ for a very good reason.
“Paramedics and other emergency-response people need to know if an injured or sick person is taking medications, and/or has allergies or a chronic condition that can help the responders decide the right treatment to pursue. Folks on the scene need to have this information so the precise, needed treatment can begin as soon as possible.”
Moeller is a member of the House Transportation Committee in which his bipartisan House Bill 2280 is awaiting a public hearing.