Doug always had a Road ID on his shoe while running. His was a metal tag that velcroed onto his shoelaces. It enabled Hartford Hospital to reach both me and his parents almost immediately after he arrived there. I ordered his Road ID right after he won a gift certificate for one at a Woodstock 10K Memorial Day road race.

The Road ID website notes that each year, over 450,000 people are taken to hospitals unconscious and without ID. Over 122,000 runners, walkers, and cyclists are hit by cars. Thousands more suffer blackouts, concussions, heart attacks, heat strokes and other serious accidents. The national Safe Kids campaign estimates that every day, 39,000 children are injured seriously enough to require medical attention. When they can’t speak for themselves, a Road ID will speak for them.

You can order a personalized Road ID online or by phone (800.345.6336.) It’s a good idea to include your name, hometown, State and country (USA), two or three contact numbers (e.g., parent, sibling, spouse), blood type, and whether you have allergies or medical conditions. (On Doug’s, I also wrote “Go faster!”)

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