[nabs-l] White cane law question

[Antonio M. Guimaraes]

Law or no law, here are some thoughts.

First, I never thought that sort of pushing the top of my cane would signal 
anything to a driver. First time I hear of it, so don't know the origin of 
it.

I'm trying to think of several instances where either waving a driver on, or 
signaling I'm next would be called for.

First, even though the pedestrian has the right of way, and drivers may be 
aware of this, and kind enough to stop for you, realize it's not always in 
your best interest to take one driver's kindness as signal that you are safe 
to cross. You should always be the one to decide when it's safe for you to 
cross.

We are all taught to cross with some level of parallell traffic at busy 
intersections. I tipically stick to this cardinal rule, even when things are 
quiet, and pedestrians tell me it's safe to cross. After all they can see, 
and they know you have the green, and that it is your time to cross safely, 
right?

Well, try that when traffic is quiet, and you will likely vear into a lane 
of traffic where cars will soon begin their speedy course. Now you are lost, 
confused, and not safe because you did not have the sound clues that help a 
blind travelor .

The same goes for a driver trying to get you to cross. If streets are busy, 
and I'm sure to get lots of traffic sounds, I'll always wait for those 
sounds.

Ok, unless I am in a hurry, and I take another pedestrian's arm to cross 
right with them.

the times when I signal by way of cane movement include crossings not at 
intersections, at an all quiet, or where there is no cross walk, and I get 
an "all quiet" opportunity. I do this near my house all the time. It's a 
couple of blocks away from a highway, and I figure it's safe to cross when 
there is no car coming. I stick my cane out there, and walk into the street. 
I may even keep the cane extended in front of me for a second if I am 
uncertain of the all quiet, then go about completing the crossing.

The extended cane, and me walking briskly across the street is enough to 
tell drivers I am headed across, and they can see it from far away. Either 
I'll make the crossing in enough time, or they'll slow down to allow me 
extra time, my version of reasonable accomodations, grin.

I realize this all quiet crossing thing may be best to try when one is more 
confortable crossing, but if you are going to be traveling a lot, and you're 
blind, you can count on using this technique at times.

Right on red turners are notorious for yealding, and you'll often be doing a 
little dance with these drivers, one trying to figure out if the other is 
ready to go first. Just make up your mind, and communicate it by your 
actions. Either get to crossing, or stand back.

Good luck Jim as you continue learning your cane technique.

Antonio Guimaraes

If an infinite number of rednecks riding in an infinite number of pickup 
trucks fire an infinite number of shotgun rounds at an infinite number of 
highway signs, they will eventually produce all the world's great literary 
works in Braille.

Shop online and support the NFB of RI at no additional cost to you.
http://www.givebackamerica.com/charity.php?b=169
Givebackamerica.org, America's Online Charity Shopping Mall
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Reed" <jim275_2 at yahoo.com>
To: "MAB List" <mt-blind at nfbnet.org>; "NABS mail list" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 7:27 PM
Subject: [nabs-l] White cane law question


Hey all,

Yesterday my O/M instructor gave me some conflicting advice that is 
implicitly linked to the white cane law. On one hand, she told me that while 
I am stopped at an intersection and waiting to cross, that I should have the 
tip of my cane near my toes, and that I should extend the top part of my 
cane outwards towards the street so that drivers can clearly see the cane 
(without being able to run it over) and then they will know a blind guy is 
trying to cross the street. Techniclly, based on the white cane law, drivers 
are supposed to yield to a blind guy with an extended cane at an 
intersection. Then, a few miniutes later she told me to never cross the 
street when a driver has stopped to let me cross. She told me to turn my 
back on the driver if need be.

So, which is it? Do I stick the cane out forcing drivers to yield, and then 
cross when they yield, or do I patiently wait at the intersection? It seems 
to me that I shouldn't stick my cane out there if I don't have any intention 
on crossing when I am yielded to.

Thanks,
Jim

"From compromise and things half done,
Keep me with stern and stubborn pride,
And when at last the fight is won,
... Keep me still unsatisfied." --Louis Untermeyer



_______________________________________________
nabs-l mailing list
nabs-l at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
nabs-l:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/iamantonio%40cox.net