Blue Envelope Helps Special Needs Motorists

The goal of the blue envelope is to avoid misunderstanding between officers and motorists.

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco recently announced a new program to help people with autism spectrum disorder — and other special needs. It’s called the Blue Envelope Program.

Just imagine yourself driving, and you suddenly see those blue and red flashing lights from behind. It’s enough to make anyone’s heart race. But for someone with autism spectrum disorder or other special needs, it can cause a heightened stress of stress, between the unfamiliar situation, the flashing lights, the sounds of radios, sisren and other noises.

That’s why Bianco started the Blue Envelope Program, which is growing in popularity in other states, like New Jersey and Connecticut.

The goal is to avoid a misunderstanding between the officers and the drivers that have ASD or other special needs to help prevent a potentially tense situation from escalating.

If someone with special needs gets pulled over, the driver shows the blue envelope. The driver will keep the license, registration, insurance, and an emergency contact inside.

The outside of the blue envelope contains instructions for the driver, like keeping hands on the wheel and warning about the flashing lights and noises.

On the reverse side of the envelope, it tells the officers what to do, like simplifying requests.

People with special needs can get a blue envelope from their local police or sheriff’s department, as long as they live in Riverside County. The envelope is free of charge.