Deaf people or those who are hard of hearing can now have a symbol on their driver’s license that designates their hearing challenges.
Governor Cooper signed the legislation Thursday. The intent is to let law enforcement officers know if someone they pull over can’t hear. The symbol is optional. The legislation which takes effect in January includes training for current and incoming officers on how to appropriately interact with those who are deaf and hard of hearing. It comes after Daniel Harris, a deaf man, was fatally shot by a state trooper in Charlotte last year following a traffic stop that turned into a high speed chase.