We Make Helps Create a New Traffic Safety Program

We Make, Autism At Work helped create a new traffic safety program for drivers who are diagnosed with autism.

Pennington, NJ—Most people become unnerved when they peek at their rearview mirror and see flashing red and blue lights while hearing the escalating sound of a police siren. For persons diagnosed with autism or an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the situation can lead to extreme stress and intense anxiety. What is worse, is that the reactive behavior of someone with ASD who is experiencing extreme stress and anxiety can be perceived as a threat by police officers, who are trained to be on the lookout for curious behavior. Add to this circumstance, the complication of the driver being someone who is either nonverbal or who communicates differently, and this situation could easily escalate into negative territory!

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It is for these reasons law enforcement agencies across the state and more and more police departments are adopting New Jersey's Blue Envelope Program. The program's goal is to inform officers as quickly as possible that the driver they have stopped has a diagnosed developmental disability, and prepare them for any incidences of unusual behavior. The New Jersey Blue Envelope Program was originally initiated by Moe Siddiqu, a Mercer County leader who is employed at We Make, Autism At Work as their Executive Director.

Moe stated, “With so many of our We Make employees being drivers, we saw driver safety as priority one, as we know what relief that gives us as employers, the reduced angst for the parents of the drivers, and the chance to educate police officers who oversee road safety. Coming up with a tool/solution that helps ensure a safe passage to and from work seemed like an obvious solution and a simple open-minded approach resulted in a monumental positive change for the ASD community. We wanted to ensure they are supported and understood in every aspect of their lives, so this program really helps us instill independence and provides essential and helpful training information which will benefit the officers, the individuals with ASD, and their family members. It’s a WIN:WIN:WIN!”

The New Jersey Blue Envelope Program was a collective effort of We Make: Autism at Work Inc. and High Bridge Police Department with a goal to jointly brainstorm ideas to better the ASD community as whole. Officer Brian Shipps stated, “It is amazing what can be accomplished when people from different perspectives can sit down and have an honest conversation and work together. The thing is this old salty officer found humility and acceptance through the best, most loving honest people on earth. The people who run and work at We Make, Autism At Work. They only deserve the best and I pray the Blue Envelope delivered on the passionate mission set by the great people of the Hunterdon County Police Chiefs Association and by Chief Bartman and Chief Barlow.” Officer Shipps seems very grateful for this experience and also said, “Chief Bartman who moved heaven and earth in scheduling to let me go to We Make and Detective Lazier who enthusiastically cheered me on, and supported me, did extra duty covering those shifts so I could go!”

The drivers with ASD who participate in the program will get a blue envelope they can place on their vehicle's sun visor or hand over to law enforcement officers during a stop. The envelope holds their essential documents, including license, registration and a contact card. Officers are now being trained to recognize the blue envelope and its meaning.

Once the driver of the stopped vehicle hands over the blue envelope, it alerts the officer(s) to the situation, and they then are able to infuse their training and place best practices into effect. The training covers how best to interact and communicate with drivers with autism, and is offered in several counties in New Jersey. The blue envelope is resealable for repeated use. It includes instructions for the driver and the officer in the event of a motor vehicle stop.

Hawthorne, NJ Police Chief James Knepper, who leads the Passaic County Police Chiefs Association this year said the program just began over the summer in Passaic County. Chief Knepper stated, "Although this program is in its infancy in Passaic County, it mirrors other Blue Envelope programs that had been previously established. This is designed for consistency in the hope to provide a smoother interaction between a community member and law enforcement."

According to a Stanford University study, police officers make more than 50,000 traffic stops per day across the country. In 2023, as many as 86 people were killed by police interactions that began as traffic stops. In 2021, that number was 117. The BBC reported that a total of 800 individuals have been killed in connection with a traffic stop in the country since 2017. It's unknown if any of the deceased had an autism diagnosis or had been diagnosed with other developmental disorders.

The program's intention is to reduce fear and prevent potential mistreatment by helping police officers recognize the needs of people with autism. Moe Siddiqu would like to see broader implementation to ensure that more people feel safe and make sure that within the We Make community and beyond, that officers are seen as allies rather than threats.

To learn more about the Blue Envelope Program or to support We Make in its mission to make meaningful employment opportunities accessible to persons with autism or a related disorder, please use follow this link: https://wemake.works/support-us/