[Blindtlk] U.S. Senators John Kerry and Arlen Specter Introduce Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act

[Freeh, Jessica]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org


/>U.S. Senators John Kerry and Arlen Specter
Introduce Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act

National Federation of the Blind Applauds Measure
  to Protect Lives and Preserve Independence of Blind Americans

Washington, DC (April 22, 2009): Senators John 
Kerry (D-MA) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) introduced 
a bill, S. 841, intended to protect the blind and 
other pedestrians from injury or death as a 
result of silent vehicle technology.  The 
Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 
requires the Secretary of Transportation to 
conduct a study on how to protect the blind and 
others from being injured or killed by vehicles 
using hybrid, electric, and other silent engine technologies.

Because blind pedestrians cannot locate and 
evaluate traffic using their vision, they must 
listen to traffic to discern its speed, 
direction, and other attributes in order to 
travel safely and independently.  Other people, 
including pedestrians who are not blind, 
bicyclists, runners, and small children, also 
benefit from hearing the sound of vehicle 
engines.  New vehicles that employ hybrid or 
electric engine technology can be silent, 
rendering them extremely dangerous in situations 
where vehicles and pedestrians come into proximity with each other.

“The National Federation of the Blind appreciates 
the wise and decisive action taken today by 
Senators Kerry and Specter to preserve the right 
to safe and independent travel for the blind,” 
said Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National 
Federation of the Blind.  “The blind, like all 
pedestrians, must be able to travel to work, to 
school, to church, and to other places in our 
communities without being injured or 
killed.  This bill will benefit all pedestrians 
for generations to come as new vehicle 
technologies become more prevalent.  The blind of 
America will do everything in our power to ensure its swift passage.”

“I’m a major proponent of hybrid vehicles––I own 
one, I drive one, and I've seen firsthand their 
environmental and economic benefits,” said 
Senator Kerry.  “The market is demanding new 
technologies in the auto industry, and Americans 
are demanding we finally kick our foreign oil 
addiction.  As we continue to promote our energy 
independence, however, we must do more to ensure 
the safety of those who use senses other than 
sight to navigate the roads.  I look forward to 
working with Secretary LaHood to ensure that 
hybrid vehicles are safe for everyone.”

“Blind people have the same right to safe travel 
as all other pedestrians,” said Senator 
Specter.  “I look forward to working with my 
colleagues on this important legislation to 
ensure that the blind and other pedestrians can 
continue to travel safely and independently.”



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About the National Federation of the Blind

With more than 50,000 members, the National 
Federation of the Blind is the largest and most 
influential membership organization of blind 
people in the United States.  The NFB improves 
blind people’s lives through advocacy, education, 
research, technology, and programs encouraging 
independence and self-confidence.  It is the 
leading force in the blindness field today and 
the voice of the nation's blind.  In January 2004 
the NFB opened the National Federation of the 
Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and 
training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.