Columbus, Ohio (AP) -- About 100,000 people have registered with ohio's next-of-kin database, which allows police to quickly contact family members in case a loved one has an emergency.
The program began in September, and supporters are encouraging more people to sign up.
Linda Wuestenberg of suburban Columbus was one of the parents who pushed for the program after it took authorities seven hours to track her down after her son's 2007 car crash.
She never had time to say goodbye at the hospital where he died.
Wuestenberg is speaking to groups to raise awareness of the free registry.
Carmela Wiant of Mechanicsburg has paid for billboards promoting the database.
Ohioans may register at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles office or on the agency's web site
(Copyright 2009 by the Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
