(WDNews) — With summer marking the start of the “100 deadliest days” on the road, Alabama officials are urging drivers to take a proactive safety step: adding an emergency contact to their driver’s license.
According to AAA Alabama, law enforcement officers can quickly notify a loved one in the event of a serious crash—if that information is already linked to the driver’s license through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA).
“It’s a great program that not a lot of people are aware of, to be honest,” said Clay Ingram, spokesperson for AAA Alabama.
Drivers can complete the process in just minutes by visiting the ALEA website and navigating to “Driver License Online Services.” After entering basic license details, users are prompted to add an emergency contact’s name, relationship, address, and phone number.
“A lot of people rely on their cellphone for something like that,” Ingram said. “But if your phone is lost, damaged in the crash, or locked with a passcode, that can delay crucial communication with family. Taking just three minutes to do this online could make a big difference.”
The “100 deadliest days” span from Memorial Day to Labor Day and are especially dangerous for teen drivers, according to national traffic safety data.
Parents and teens alike are encouraged to take advantage of the free emergency contact registration. To begin the process, visit the ALEA site at alea.gov.
