A COMPENDIUM OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OLDER DRIVER PROGRAMS

Index
Introduction
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Connecticut
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Other Resources

CONNECTICUT

The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles implemented a program designed to warn drivers about the dangers of "large vehicles," after a review of their Fatality Analysis Accident Reporting System (FARS) statistics for the previous two years indicated that the mature driving population was involved in fatal commercial motor vehicle crashes "at an alarming rate." The department purchased a video, "Sharing the Road, Driving Safely Around Trucks," produced by the Michigan Truck Safety Commission through a grant from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) obtained permission from the Michigan Truck Safety Commission to add their introduction and local information to the video. The DMV has distributed the video to all AARP instructors throughout the state to supplement the AARP Driver Safety Program classes. The DMV also provides a brochure to the classes about driving safely around large vehicles. In addition to offering assistance to the Driver Safety Program, the DMV provides safety talks concerning defensive driving and safe driving around large trucks to senior citizen groups.

Contact:

Sergeant Donald C. Bridge, Jr.
Connecticut Department of
Motor Vehicles
60 State Street
Wethersfield, CT 06109
Web site: www.ct.gov/dmv/
Phone: (860) 263-5446
Fax: (860) 263-5587
E-mail: Donald.Bridge@dmvct.org

Sergeant John Marvin of the Manchester, Connecticut Police Department contributed to a video production by Connecticut Public Television, "Seniors Behind the Wheel," which aired on Connecticut Public Television in 2002. The video included commentary by Sgt. Marvin on driver's license re-testing as well as discussions about mobility and loss of independence issues for the older driver. Driver assessments, new technology, early family intervention, and collision rates also were addressed in the video.

In addition to the video, Manchester Police Department provides roll call and in-service training to their officers on how to interact with the elderly and identify dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease. The department also has policy to refer older drivers whose capabilities to safely drive have been diminished to the Department of Motor Vehicles for driver's license re-examination and for medical evaluation. The driver's license is seized and sent in with the referral.

Contact:

Sergeant John Marvin
Manchester Police Department
239 East Middle Turnpike
Manchester, CT 06040
Web site: www.manchesterpolice.org/
Phone: (860) 645-5500
Fax: (860) 645-5595
E-mail: marvin@ci.manchester.ct.us

The Shelton, Connecticut Police Department, Shelton Senior Center, and People's Bank developed the "Yellow Dot" program, which is aimed at saving older people in automobiles. The three organizations make up a TRIAD, a group of organizations that work collectively to develop programs to help keep senior citizens safe based upon the particular needs of their community. The Shelton TRIAD developed a yellow sticker to be affixed to the inside rear window of a senior citizen's vehicle, alerting first responders to look in the glove box for emergency information about the driver and significant other passengers during an emergency. The TRIAD developed a yellow card for senior citizens to fill out that provides information about the occupant's medication, allergies, doctor, hospital preference, and relative contact information. The completed card is placed in a manila envelope and remains in the glove box. During medical emergencies, car collisions, or times when an occupant may be incapacitated or unconscious, the Yellow Dot alerts first responders to look in the glove box for pertinent medical information. The TRIAD conducts monthly events at the senior center for registering participating citizens. State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal endorsed the program.

The low cost program, implemented in spring 2002, is funded through People's Bank as a public service. Volunteers assist the older drivers with affixing the yellow dots and filling out the pertinent card information. There is no cost to the citizen who participates in the program.

The Connecticut Post Newspaper has published numerous articles on the Yellow Dot Program. Shelton Police Lieutenant Richard Arsenault presented the program on Hartford's Channel 30, WVIT, as a public service announcement during a segment of "Senior Health."

On May 12, 2003, the Trumbull Police Department, in conjunction with the People's Bank and the Trumbull Senior Center, followed the lead set by the Shelton Police Department by implementing the Yellow Dot Program in their community. Participating agencies are working to establish the Yellow Dot Program in communities throughout Connecticut to further ensure highway safety.

Contact:

Lieutenant Richard Arsenault
Shelton Police Department
85 Wheeler Street
Shelton, CT 06484
Web site: www.cityofshelton.org/publicsfty/policedept.htm
Phone: (203) 924-1544
Fax: (203) 924-0702
E-mail: c3spd@aol.com

Officer Bob Schwartz
Trumbull Police Department
158 Edison Road
Trumbull, CT 06611
Web site: www.trumbullct.com/contact.htm
Phone: (203) 261-3665
Fax: (203) 452-1060