Emergency Contact Registry Was Created by Wisniewski Legislation Named after Dubinin’s Daughter Sara
Assembly Deputy Speaker John S. Wisniewski (D-Middlesex) and Sayreville resident Betty Dubinin are marking the anniversary of New Jersey’s Sara’s Law with a call for the state’s residents to participate in the next-of-kin registry created under the law. The law, which established a next-of-kin registry within the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, was signed by Governor Christie on April 6, 2011.
Sara’s Law was named in memory of Sara Dubinin, a 19 year old from Sayreville who was killed in a car accident. The tragedy was compounded by the delay in notifying her family. By the time her mother Betty was told of the accident, Sara was already in a coma and she never regained consciousness.
Betty Dubinin shared her experience with Assemblyman Wisniewski and, working together with legislative colleagues, Wisniewski drafted the legislation that has become known as Sara’s Law. The bill created a next-of-kin database at the MVC so that families can be promptly notified when a loved one is in jeopardy.
The MVC database is accessible online and allows New Jersey drivers and those with a non-driver identification card to voluntarily log in and designate two people as emergency contacts in the event of an accident. The information provided by program participants will only be available to law enforcement officers for use during a serious motor vehicle accident and will allow timely notice to those designated in the MVC database.
“Designating a family member, trusted friend or loved one to be an emergency contact will help ensure that, in the event of a life-threatening situation, someone could be notified and be at the person’s bedside within minutes rather than hours,” explained Wisniewski. “Sara’s Law offers the opportunity for all of us to avoid the ordeal her family endured and will stand as a lasting tribute to the memory of Sara Dubinin.”
“The loss of a child is an experience no parent should ever endure,” added Betty Dubinin. “My hope is that Sara’s Law helps others by allowing them to be present for their loved ones when they are needed the most.”
Those wishing to register emergency contact information in the registry can do so via the MVC web site.