Illinois residents involved in auto accidents could receive better medical treatment in the event of a serious personal injury thanks to a new program. The Illinois Department of Transportation is beginning a new initiative that could save lives with the use of a simple adhesive sticker.

The Yellow Dot program will give emergency medical services and other first responders information that will be important to provide adequate care to victims in the case of a crash or auto accident.

IDOT puts safety of the drivers and passengers first, according to the acting Transportation Secretary. The Yellow Dot program is intended to provide crucial information to save lives in car wrecks and other accidents, IDOT said.

The program allows for voluntary participation and is free to all residents. Members of the program provide a photograph, emergency contacts and medical background history that are kept in the vehicle's glove compartment.

A yellow adhesive sticker placed on the rear windshield of the vehicle alerts the first responder personnel to the inclusion of the information and the program participation status.

The police urged the importance of participation in the Yellow Dot program due to the fact that many drivers do not keep identification or medical information in the vehicle that emergency workers can use in the case of a serious accident or injury. It's important for workers and paramedics to know about allergies, medications and chronic conditions.

Public health officials praise the new program and encourage participants to regularly update their information. Outdated information has the potential to be as hazardous as the lack of information, said public health officials.

Sources: Sun-Times Media, "Yellow dot could save lives," Sandy Illian Bosch, Dec. 31, 2011