[Blindvet-talk] Fwd: Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act Introduced

[MisterAdvocate at aol.com]

____________________________________
 From: JFreeh at nfb.org
Reply-to: blindvet-talk at nfbnet.org
To:  david.andrews at nfbnet.org
Sent: 1/28/2009 1:54:31 P.M. Eastern Standard  Time
Subj: [Blindvet-talk] Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act  Introduced


FOR IMMEDIATE  RELEASE



CONTACT:

Christopher S.  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.  Representatives Edolphus Towns and Cliff Stearns
Introduce Pedestrian  Safety Enhancement Act



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



Washington, DC (January 28, 2009):   Representatives Edolphus "Ed" 
Towns (D-NY) and Cliff Stearns (R-FL) today  introduced H.R. 734, a 
bill 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.  Thirty-two original  
co-sponsors have already signed on to the bill.



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 Congressmen Towns and Stearns 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."

"The beneficial trend toward more  environmentally friendly vehicles 
has had the unintended effect of placing  the blind and other 
pedestrians in danger," said Representative  Towns.  "As someone who 
taught travel with a white cane to the blind  for many years, I 
understand that the sound of traffic is critically  important in order 
for them to travel safely and independently.  This  bill will prevent 
many injuries and fatalities while still allowing more  clean vehicles 
on our nation's roads."



"I understand the  safety concerns of blind pedestrians with these 
quiet automobiles; I have  heard the same concerns from senior 
citizens in my district, and I  appreciate the threat to children, 
bicyclists, and runners," said  Representative Stearns.  "I deeply 
appreciate the support of all  parties in supporting this important 
safety  legislation."



The bill requires the Secretary of  Transportation, within ninety days 
of its enactment, to commence a  two-year study to determine the best 
means to provide the blind and other  pedestrians with information 
about the location, motion, speed, and  direction of vehicles.  Upon 
completion of the study, the Secretary  will report the findings of 
the study to Congress and, within ninety days,  establish a minimum 
vehicle safety standard for all new vehicles sold in  the United 
States.  Automobile manufacturers will have two years to  comply with 
the vehicle safety  standard.





###







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.



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