Here in the UK we have a special road tax for cars, and we were given a tax disc which we had to stick to the wind-shield so that police could visually check that the tax had been paid for any vehicle they encountered. Now the police have bought a computer, and as of last October we don't need to show the tax disc any more. Hence:

Replace your tax disc with an Emergency Contact Disc to provide vital information for first responders at medical emergencies or road traffic collisions.

More details here. The idea is that stuck to the wind-shield it will be easier to access than something in your wallet. The disc is folded so that specific information is hidden; you need to get into the car and retrieve the disc to see anything confidential.

I'm not entirely sure it's worth doing, but if it is then it's also worth doing outside of the UK.

Not sure if this a great thing or not. If someone can link the car to you and your address, so can the thief whom broke in to your car and possibly steal your house keys if you left them in in there.

Besides my windscreen can be pretty crowded; Car parking sticker, German environment sticker, Swiss Vignet, sometimes the Austrian Vignet (or two!) and satnav.

Could be even more, I still take the toll boot for the frensh Péage instead of getting the transponder which fits on you windscreen.

IMO, two license plates is enough for ER identification. They have that procedure established for a long time. I'd rather get a neck tag with some data on it for myself.

if nothing else this is food for thought.when i drive our second car the only ID is the wallet in my pocket.
something the rescue crew could see to find out who i am while they are prying the car apart to get to me would be a big help for the medics.

How would first responders know that the person they are treating is the individual described on the sticker,especially if there are multiple victims....??

I wear a dog tag.
Simple, inexpensive, and not required.

In my experience, identity and blood type of the victim is not the first priority on scene, especially if the victim is unresponsive or incoherent. I understand that before administering whole blood or its derivatives, they will determine blood type - it doesn't take long. Perhaps someone with current experience can comment.

My dog tag does not have that info as it's not a military tag. Looks like one but had it made at an outdoor supplies store. Full name, SSN, contact phone # and 'no drug allergies'
(Have to guard it carefully because of the SSN.)

I initially bought it as a motorcycling precaution. Then started using it while hiking (good place to attach a whistle as well). Now wear it because of my long daily commute in all kinds of weather and it'll be a lot easier to find in the wreckage than my wallet might be.

I currently wear a "dog tag" made by the Verbatim company that has an integrated 16 GB USB drive. The "dog tag" looks like analog predecessor at first glance but on closer inspection you can see the USB drive.
I have placed an open file that gives basis pertinent emergency information and contacts on the drive in Word 2003 as well as encrypted files with other necessary information in case SHTF. A wide variety of information is included such as family members medical history and Rx information. Vehicle information, photos and a myriad of other data is included. In a post disaster environment, if a working computer that runs Windows can be found I should have the information I need for any urgent problems.
I have no association with the Verbatim company except as a customer.

I have to tell you, as an EMT x 8 years, I really didn't care who you were. I sure as heck didn't care what blood type you were, or who your ICE contact was.


Now at the hospital it might be useful, mainly for medication or allergy information. Or, ultimately, who to contact to pick you up.

Oh, and MOST hospitals in the US use your date of birth, not your SSN, as your second patient identifier. Might be worth tossing that dog tag and getting one that has your DOB.

MD..never really thought about what the EMT's did but i assumed they did more than give O2, fluids and transport.

Many have been known to splint fractures and stop bleeding, but transport to a competent ER is critical.

It depends on the country, but in most the police are in charge of identifying persons. I guess thats why the taxdisk ID was a suggestion from the police. Not sure how much easier it would make since, you they can just look in the database for the registered owner.

Not sure what EMT's and paramedics are allowed to do. The medical skills and training varies a lot in countries. From trained volenteers, to nurses to docters. Some can give very advanced procedures on the spot.

Depends where you are ...
In the US, EMT-Basics are basically first-aid only. Splinting, O2, transport, bleeding control. Very few medication, glucose is OK, oxygen, sometimes epinephrine or albuterol for asthma.
EMT-Intermediates are fading away in most places. Usually first aid and can do some limited IV fluids.
EMT-Paramedics have about 40 drugs, can intubate, defibrillate, start IV's.

I've never heard of blood being carried or transfused in the field by EMTs. That being said, I know a doctor in NJ that, during his EMS fellowship, was doing on-scene blood transfusions. Again, this was a physician, not a paramedic or EMT.

And as Tjin alludes to, EMS doesn't ID people. Usually the PD, rarely the FD.

Why would you leave your house keys in your car?

They suggest including photos to help with identification. Also, the main information is next of kin, which is likely to be the same, or close enough, for all drivers (assuming it's a privately own vehicle and not a car pool business one).

In the UK the license plate will only give the address of the registered owner. It doesn't include any phone numbers or anything about the next of kin. It doesn't include a photo, either, and the registered owner may not be the driver.

A neck tag is fine if you like that sort of thing, but many of us don't like wearing stuff around our neck. Also, I'm not sure how effective it would be. Often first responders are reluctant to go ferreting through your personal possessions in case they get accused of theft. The windshield thing is supposed to be easily visible, obvious in intent, and accessible.

I listen to Police and Fire on my scanner every day.
Here with a name they can bring up possible people and with DoB can narrow it down. Then they can find vehicles you own, address you live at, SSN, phone numbers, outstanding arrest warrants and protection orders and the last time a police officer contacted you. I wouldn't be surprised if the driver's license picture could be passed on the mobile terminals for positive ID.

Sometimes they'll pass the last 4 digits of the SSN over the air to confirm the correct person (which is why I chose to put my SSN on my tag)

If you have keys in a bag and jump out of the car quickly to get something, pay for gas, etc.

During vacation I often store my house keys in the car in a little key safe. No point in taking them along while mtb/climbing/hiking, etc. The tent certainly isn't very secure and bringing my keys along means i can bent them (happens...) or loose them.

Hmm... good intentions by a bureaucrat, without a doubt. It sure would make you a ripe target for criminals, especially for identity theft, amongst other things. Only would take a broken window or an unlocked car door to lose valuable personal information.

As far as contact information goes, I'm not sure how it is on that side of the pond, but your law enforcement agencies probably have access to nearly all of the data they could possibly want (and then some). Databases are only becoming more and more connected, and a few easy mouse clicks away. And if they can't get it right away, it likely only takes a short bit of follow-up research.

IMHO, what this "Contact Disc" does is make things easier for people filling out reports, forms, and citations.