Motorists have new options to ensure safety
BY FRANKLIN HAYES Gulf Breeze News franklin@gulfbreezenews.com

Courtesy of Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Doug Dodson pulls up emergency contact information in his patrol car just minutes after it was entered.

Law enforcement officials are encouraging residents to take advantage of two systems that could save the life of a family member.

One emergency contact information program, which originated in London, asks citizens to enter emergency phone numbers in their cell phones under the heading ICE. The acronym stands for In Case of Emergency and is widely recognized by rescue workers.

On Oct. 2, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) announced another emergency contact information program available to Florida-based law enforcement officers. This system allows Floridians to voluntarily provide emergency information online, giving law enforcement immediate access to information and making it easier for them to speak with the next of kin in emergency situations. Those with a Florida driver license or identification card who want to input their information can go online to www.hsmv.state.fl.us. Users are allowed to enter two contact names and three phone numbers per name. This information will be immediately available to law enforcement officials via the Driver and Vehicle Information Database (DAVID). The statewide database is accessible to law enforcement officers in their patrol cars, giving on the scene officers up to date information to reach the victim's designated parties. According to the DHSMV, more than 31,000 license carriers have already input their data.

"The responsibility of notifying family members lies with law enforcement. If a fire department needs this information, they can contact [law enforcement]," said Florida Highway Patrol Public Affairs Chief Ernie Duarte. "If someone is unconscious on the side of the road, we can contact a family member to obtain critical medical information."

When used in conjunction with one another these two new programs give an accident victim the best possible chance for survival.

"The information available through DAVID is good for people that don't have a cell phone or if we can't find their cell phone. However, if someone can't be identified, the cell phone program can be equally as helpful," said Sgt. Scott Haines with the Santa Rosa Sheriff's Office. "We recommend people take advantage of both."

English paramedic Bob Brotchie developed the ICE program in May 2005. The idea spread across Europe and is now gaining popularity in America.

On Dec. 7, 2005, Tiffiany Olson was killed in a motorcycle accident in Manatee County, Fla. and her family was not notified for several hours after her passing. Olson's mother, Christine Olson, was determined to improve the unfortunate scenario and contacted her state legislator, Rep. Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton). Through the cooperative efforts of the state legislature and DHSMV, the addition to DAVID was developed to help prevent similar situations.

"This is a great example of government listening to citizen's ideas and implementing changes that will make a positive difference," said Fred Dickinson, Executive Director for DHSMV. "Working with Ms. Olson to put this system into action, we have been able to affect changes that make an impact."