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ANNAPOLIS, Md., July 8 /U.S. Newswire/ -- In an unprecedented
move to reach out to Maryland's deaf-driving community, the
Maryland Sheriffs' Association has launched a car visor card
campaign for deaf and hard of hearing motorists. The visor card
instructs drivers on how to respond during a traffic stop. This
outreach campaign is also intended to educate law enforcement
officers about the deaf and hard-of-hearing driver and to improve
communication between driver and officer during these interactions.
Available at Sheriff's Offices throughout the State of Maryland,
or from the Maryland Sheriffs' Association, these laminated visor
cards offer deaf or hearing-impaired drivers instructions on how to
react during routine traffic stops. The visor card, to be placed
in the windshield of the vehicle, states DRIVER IS DEAF. Upon
seeing the visor card, the officer will acknowledge that the driver
is hearing-impaired and be better prepared to deal with the
potential communication challenges of the situation.
"Over the years, there has been serious miscommunication between deaf and
hard-of-hearing drivers and law enforcement, placing both individuals in
potentially volatile situations," said Charles County Sheriff Frederick
Davis, President of the Maryland Sheriffs' Association. "This visor card
will help eliminate the stress on both driver and officer and establish a
common ground at the onset of the interaction."
Diane Edge, deaf advocate and creator of the visor card,
acknowledges that law enforcement officials must often make
split-second decisions based on information available at the time.
Most deaf or hard-of-hearing persons will move immediately to
locate a pen and paper -- a move that might be misconstrued by an officer.
"Highway traffic noise and nighttime stops that involve a
flashlight hamper one's ability to hear anything or see any type of
lip movement," said Edge. "We now have a tool that can change that with
the use of the visor card."
"The visor card informs the officer that an unique communication
situation has just presented itself and they can respond
accordingly. The officer will realize that if the driver failed to
respond to their verbal commands, it was not an intentional act,
but rather that the driver was physically prevented from following
direction because of their hearing loss."
Steve Weiner, Vice President of the Maryland Association for the
Deaf said, "This proactive measure by the Maryland Sheriffs'
Association is a step in the right direction. It is our hope that
this will eliminate further misunderstandings and potentially
disastrous consequences due to lack of communication."
Twenty thousand visor cards are currently available to
Maryland's deaf-driving community. Motorists may contact their
local Sheriff's Office or the Maryland Sheriffs' Association
directly at 410.269.4238.
The Maryland Sheriffs' Association represents the Office of the
Sheriff in the state's 23 counties and Baltimore City. Maryland
Sheriffs are the only law enforcement officials in the state who
are elected by the people they serve and protect. |
