The Lycoming County Coroner is encouraging motorists to make use of an emergency contact system through the state department of transportation to ensure authorities are able to reach next of kin in the event of an accident.

The system inputs drivers’ emergency contact information into the justice network, J-NET, which allows police officers to immediately find family contact information, county coroner Chuck Kiessling said.

“That way, we have a name, address and phone number for who to contact for information,” Kiessling said.

The system allows drivers to input contact information for a spouse, mother, father and whomever else they choose to be their emergency contact.

This also helps if a motorist does not have their driver’s license on them; police can identify the person through their car’s license plate number and work backward to contact family.

Promoting the use of this system helps coroners in Pennsylvania maintain a level of professionalism when identifying the deceased. Without it, sometimes, families are informed by second-hand sources by way of social media or other contact before they are informed by officials.

“People find out about their dead loved ones by social media before we’re able to make contact in a professional manner,” Kiessling said.

The system is also useful for identifying organ donors.

“If someone dies, we’re able to identify if they’re a donor, and we can discuss that with the family. We have a 24-hour window from the time that person dies to the time the tissues, etc., can be harvested,” Kiessling said.

“By uploading your emergency contact information, you’ll be giving law enforcement the ability to quickly reach someone who will speak for you if ever you cannot speak for yourself,” PennDOT’s website said.

The emergency contact information system can be accessed at penndot.gov/TravelInPA/Safety/Pages/Emergency-Contact.aspx.

Kiessling also encouraged motorists to fill out forms for the “Yellow Dot” program, which places a container in the vehicle’s glove compartment with the motorist’s medical history alongside a yellow dot sticker on the exterior of the vehicle.

“If an EMT or paramedic finds you unconscious or unable to talk, you can pull that yellow dot container out of the vehicle, and they will be able to know your history,” Kiessling said.

“This program assists citizens in the ‘golden hour’ of emergency care following a traffic crash when they may not be able to communicate their needs themselves,” PennDOT’s website reads. “Placing a Yellow Dot decal in your vehicle’s rear window alerts first responders to check your glove compartment for vital information to ensure you receive the medical attention you need.”

The yellow dot submission form can be accessed at penndot.gov/TravelInPA/Pages/Yellow-Dot.aspx.