New Georgia law makes traffic stops smoother for autistic drivers

AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF)- A new Georgia law that took effect this month is aimed at helping drivers and passengers with autism during traffic stops.

Rio’s Law, already active in South Carolina, provides a special license plate for drivers and extra training for law enforcement with the goal of making traffic stops involving people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) smoother.

“Our deputies deal with hundreds and hundreds of people every single day. And that’s face to face contact,” said Major Andy Shedd, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.

Rio’s Law went into effect in Georgia on July 1st.

According to Major Shedd, since 2025, law enforcement officers across the Peach State have been training on how to interact with people with ASD, which the new law will expand.

“And it’s also been embedded in our community oriented policing training that we take online. And the beauty of that is some of the far reaching agencies in Georgia, some of the more rural police officers and deputies that that work in the rural areas, the online training gives them that format to where they can receive it also.”

Rio’s Law was created when a mother in California was pulled over for a traffic stop with her autistic son as a passenger. The officer wasn’t well versed in how people with ASD can react to stressful situations.

“They have reactions to specific types of sensories, whether they’re sound or lights or patterns that that can trigger some uncomfortable feelings, especially for people who are neurodivergent or living with things like autism,” explained Dr. Vijay Nagpol, a physician at ER Doctors Hospital Evans.

More noteworthy than the additional training is the access to a special license plate.

“That way, if law enforcement deals with you in the form of a traffic stop or a traffic accident, the deputy knows as soon as he sees that tag that he’s dealing with someone within the vehicle, either driver or passenger that may have autism,” Major Shedd explained.

This knowledge will allow the officers to use tools from training to keep the situation from escalating or to de-escalate if the person is already extremely upset.

“It may be hard for them to react in a way that would be expected from the police who are pulling them over law enforcement. They may have trouble focusing on the task at hand, which is conversing and cooperating with law enforcement,” said Dr. Nagpol.

Experts say that when law enforcement interacts with someone with ASD, awareness and education are key to keeping everyone calm.

“I think it all boils down to communication. The deputy should have good communication with whatever this person is going through,” said Major Shedd.

“I think it’ll be great once it’s rolled out is definitely going to take some training and awareness on the side of law enforcement,” said Dr. Nagpol. “But I know it’ll be something that’s relieving to people who are living with autism and also their loved ones.”

You can find out more about Rio’s Law HERE.

To find more information on getting an Autistic/Neurodivergent license plate in Georgia visit the Department of Revenue’s website or go to your local DMV.

In South Carolina you can go to the DMV website or visit your local DMV office.

Doctor’s Hospital treats and helps people with any health related problem at any of their location.