New Jersey Looking to Create a Specialized Notification Registry

New Jersey is in the process of passing a bill to create a specialized emergency notification registry. The voluntary registry would be used specifically to notify family members when a person is involved in a serious automobile accident.

According to an AP article by Bruce Shipowski, the measure would allow individuals with a New Jersey driver's license or state identification card to submit the name and telephone number of an emergency contact to the Motor Vehicle Commission. If the person is seriously injured or killed in an auto accident, law enforcement personnel would use the registry to notify the emergency contact.

The measure is known as "Sara's Law," in honor of Sara Dubinin, a 19-year-old resident of Sayreville, NJ who was critically injured in an auto accident. It took responders 90 minutes to determine her identity and notify her parents. Tragically, Sara slipped into a coma en route to the hospital and never regained consciousness.

While this is not a mass notification solution of the type we typically discuss here, it will be interesting to follow nevertheless for two reasons. First, state-wide notification initiatives of various types are being considered across the country. Though limited in scope, this is another example of a state legislature recognizing the need for some form of notification system.

Second, assuming this measure passes, it will be interesting to see how the public responds to sign-ups. Convincing citizens to sign up for voluntary registries is no small feat as evidenced by notification programs across the country. However, the simplicity and focused nature of the program may compel people to participate. It's reminiscent of the "ICE (In Case of Emergency)" initiative where people are encouraged to enter emergency contact information in their mobile devices under the heading of "ICE". This idea was conceived in 2005 by an EMT in the United Kingdom and has spread virally across the globe in a relatively short amount of time.

Will this pass and be a successful statewide initiative? Only time will tell. In the meantime, the public discussion certainly helps highlight an important issue.

Best regards,

Lorin