‘Just Bee’ SC license plate aims to improve safety for individuals with autism

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - South Carolina is the first state in the nation to implement autism recognition license plates.

The life-saving advancement is said to improve safety and communication between first responders and the autism and neurodivergent communities.

The “Just Bee” license plate provides an early visual cue to first responders ahead of any interaction.

The plate signals that someone in the car is on the spectrum to hopefully prevent things like this from happening in the Palmetto State.

“They’ve been tased multiple times; they’ve been arrested, sometimes even killed because there’s no facial recognition to autism,” said Founder/CEO of Just Bee Layla Luna.

To prevent possible misunderstandings, “Just Bee” license plates were created to reduce the risk of unnecessary sensory overloads during traffic stops or emergencies—resulting in safer outcomes for everyone involved.

“Getting pulled over when you have a disability can go the wrong way, and it has gone the wrong way,” said Monique Clement with SOS Care, an autism service nonprofit organization.

Luna is the mother behind it all—telling WMBF News she knew a change had to be made when a situation escalated after she was pulled over last year while her teenage son with autism, Rio, was also in the car.

“The police officer didn’t understand and wouldn’t turn off the sirens and lights, and Rio bit me really hard,” Luna said. “A first responder will have seconds to decide if this 6’3″, 250-pound man whose pupils are completely dilated, who has no language or being aggressive, they’re going to think drug-induced delirium or maybe a criminal."

The “Just Bee” license plates are available now at the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles for individuals or their parents or guardians, but a medical diagnosis is required.

Luna said over 40 plates have been issued in the state so far, and it’s all thanks to Rio’s Law passing just a few months ago.

One mother of a child with autism weighed in on the new specialty license plates.

Although her son is only four and will not be behind the wheel for at least another decade, Melissa Waggner explained how a “Just Bee” plate could change her life starting now.

“If he’s having any kind of issues, I have to pull over,” Waggner said. “They see the license plate, and they know it’s not a medical emergency and that I’m just dealing with an issue at the moment. I’ve done that many, many times.”

Luna is pushing for “Just Bee” license plates to be on the roads nationwide and said she is in the process of speaking with legislators from several states to make it happen.

For more information on how to apply for a “Just Bee” license plate, click here.

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