[nabs-l] Pedestrian safety improvement act

[Jim Reed]

Hello,
I am not quite sure how to feel on this issue. On one hand, quiet cars might pose a saftey risk to blind persons and others, but on the other hand, there is such a thing as noise pollution, air pollution, dependence on forign oil, and enviromental damage.  

Aditionally, there is another element of this issue related to the support or hinderance of societal progress. Hybrids represent the next great leap in our society, if additional laws are passed regulating this development, it may prove to hinder the development of the hybrid car. Remember, the impact of hybrid cars isnt just a blindness issue, there are much more importiant nation issues at stake. For example, national security risk via a dependence of forign oil.

There are also economic concerns. The continued research and development of hybrids, alternative fuels, and  "green" energy, will potentially be the savior of our economy. If hybrids become the next big thing, they could jumpstart the nearly dead auto industry, thus helping our economy and individual families. If you go to the national convention in Detroit, you will all see first hand the conciquences of this current economic collapes. Now is the time to be supporting industy and inovation, not hindering it.

Lastly, if blind independence is truely the goal of the NFB and blind persons, then the burden is on us -- blind people-- to adapt to the changing world, the burden is not on the world to adapt to us. Perhaps in the era of silent cars, it may be time to tweak cane-travel methodologies? 

I can't support this. I will not be a party to the hinderance of societal progress, continued enviromental degradfation,  or further economic decline. I will not expect industy or tax payers to foot the bill because I (we) refuse to adapt. 

Well thats my two cents
Jim

"Ignorance killed the cat; curiosity was framed."