More than 40 people showed up at the Senior Nutrition Center last Wednesday to sign up for Butler County’s new Yellow Dot program.

Lora Weaver, of the Northeast Alabama Traffic Safety Office was on hand to promote the Yellow Dot program and congratulate Butler County for becoming the 11th county in Alabama to offer it.

“This program can be a tool that can help save your life,” Weaver said. “It can be a voice for the injured when they can not speak for themselves.”

Deputies from the Butler County Sheriff’s Department assisted citizens by taking their photo and helping them fill out their medical information.

This medical information is stored in a Yellow Dot folder, which is placed in the participant’s glove box. A Yellow Dot Decal is placed on the back windshield in the bottom left-hand corner to let accident responders know that the occupant’s medical information is inside.

The idea behind the program is that first responders and paramedics will not have to waste any time before they can accurately treat an accident victim.

Also, emergency personnel will have contact information, so they can alert your family to your condition as soon as possible.

Though most of those who came out were senior citizens, Weaver said the program isn’t just for elderly drivers.

“The Yellow Dot program is offered free of charge to persons of any age,” Weaver said.

The program is free for county residents, thanks to funding from the Butler County Sheriff’s Department, the office of District Attorney John Andrews and grants from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

Sheriff Kenny Harden said he is planning more events like these, where a group can come and register for the program all at one time. More dates will be released as events are announced.

In the meantime, those who missed Wednesday’s opportunity can sign up by dropping by the Butler County Sheriff’s office. To find out more information, visit the Sheriff’s Office or adeca.alabama.gov.