Directs the commissioner of motor vehicles to establish a yellow dot program under which vehicle occupants' medical information is available in the glove compartment

BILL NUMBER:S6333

Title of bill

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to establishing a yellow dot program for persons fifty-five years of age or older

Purpose

Directs the commissioner of motor vehicles to establish a yellow dot program under which vehicle occupants' medical information is available in the glove compartment.

Summary of specific provisions

Section one amends section 200 of the vehicle and traffic law by adding a new subdivision three.

Justification

This legislation allows the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles to create a "Yellow Dot" program that would alert first responders about a driver's medical condition, facilitating treatment and helping more victims of crashes survive. This program is designed to help victims during the first sixty minutes after a crash, an hour that can make all the difference between life and death. A yellow dot fixed to the driver side rear window of a vehicle would notify emergency personnel of a folder in the glove compartment, alerting them to important information the victim might be unable to communicate at the time. This program is already present in numerous states including Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Virginia, Connecticut, and Alabama.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

Undetermined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law, provided that, effective immediately, any action necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be completed on or before such date.