PennDOT's service of driver database information aids police in responding quickly to emergency situations. Update your information.

The police department investigates traffic accidents as a part of the service rendered to the public.  The incidence of fatal and very serious injury accidents has declined since the installation of many safety features found on most cars currently being operated on our roadways.  Airbags, which became available on most cars in the early 1980s, are primarily responsible for decreasing serious injury and fatal traffic accidents.  These two types of accidents are a challenge to responding emergency service responders if the driver or occupants do not have identification or cannot communicate with the responders.  Any situation where a person cannot communicate in a medical emergency poses many obstacles to a successful outcome in the care and treatment of the injured.  Notification to the family of a deceased person is the responsibility of the investigating officer and should be accomplished as quickly as possible.

On November 9, 2012, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation launched a new website which was designed to allow Pennsylvania driver's license and identification (ID) holders to list emergency contact information on an online database that is only available to police officers.  The contact information is not accessible by the general public, and only certain qualified, trained and approved police officers can access the information with a valid reason for accessing the site.

Chief of Police McCarthy urges everyone to assist responding police officers and first responders in dealing with your emergency situation by going to www.dmv.state.pa.us.  Please click on the Emergency Contact Information button found on the right side of the page under "Driver Services".  The entry should take less than five minutes to complete.  This is a major enhancement to the service provided to you through PennDOT, and it could save your life!