Maine State Police have adopted a new program to help drivers with developmental and behavioral disorders during traffic stops.
The Program, developed by the Down Syndrome Advocacy Project, will issue blue envelopes for storing important documents such as driver's licenses and vehicle registrations. Printed on the envelope is a message telling the officer that the driver has a disability and providing communication tips.
Maine State Trooper Seth Allen who helped implement the program said the behaviors associated with some disorders can mimic indicators that officers might interpret as suspicious, or signs of impairment.
"This gives us the ability to very quickly identify that they have some sort of diagnosis, that could be an explanation of why they're doing this stuff that's abnormal, on a traffic stop," Allen said.
Drivers with autism, Down syndrome, PTSD, or similar disabilities are eligible for the program. The envelopes do not require proof of disability and can be picked up at some Maine State Police locations.
