[nabs-l] Google car takes to the streets

Sat Apr 13 20:13:26 UTC 2013

Of course, if there si an override options that must be operated by a
sighted human, then it wou's work for us.  However, when there is a fix, I
can't wait to see some of us driving.  

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ashley Bramlett
Sent: Sunday, April 14, 2013 3:09 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Google car takes to the streets

Hi all,
I haven't read all this thread much. But from what I read, it seems like you
all believe the car would provide more transit options and you'd buy one if
given a choice.

I know the problems in the bus system; I've seen them and ridden paratransit
and felt its impact of unreliability and lateness.
That said, I think other methods of travel are more efficient and safe. 
Things like cabs, car pools, getting rides with friends when you want to
hang out, and hiring a driver would be better.

I do not support blind people driving because we cannot see to override the
car.
I have to agree with the individual that said that having a car is self
serving. We are putting other lives at risk.
We face many obstacles on the rode like other cars wipping in front of us
when its not their turn; cars inching along not going the speed limit and
you got to move around them, waiting for pedestrians to walk, rode rage, and
drunk drivers.
Without vision, we cannot! intervene the computerized car to override it
when obstacles arise.
I cannot tell you how many times my parents slammed on the brakes due to
some driver wipping out in front of them, drivers who unexpectedly turn
without turning on their turn signal like their supposed to, pedestrians who
are still walking across the street when the orange don't walk signal is on
thus making cars wait, having to swerve around bicyclists, and distracted
drivers on cell phones.
All these obstacles create hazards which a human driver with eyes needs to
see and make a quick judgement and use reflexes to act upon unexpected
hazards.

So, yeah, when you all can afford a new google car, go right ahead and you
never know who might be hurt if you even get a license. I just don't want to
be on the road with you.

I think the nfb car sounded safer and it was built for blind people, but we
abandoned that project, probably cause of money.
Ashley

-----Original Message-----
From: Kaiti Shelton
Sent: Sunday, April 14, 2013 12:08 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Google car takes to the streets

I don't see it as self-serving either... in my experience with buses I have
to agree with Sophie here.  Plus, some parts of town that I need to go
either aren't served by buses, or take a really long time to get to which
sometimes involves going in the opposite way of the destination for a while
and then circling back because of Dayton's bus system.  (It's organized by
buses going north-south and east-west, but sometimes when you're at a stop
the time of the bus won't tell you if the bus is going north or south, or
east or west so you have to roll with it.  I'd much rather just get into a
car and drive than boomerang around the city just to get to one place, and
then do it again returning to school.  And because of this, and the fact
that it the bus system isn't exactly equivalent to a car, I don't consider
it self-serving either.  I have no problem in supporting it and other
programs of public transit for people who can't drive a car, which more
often are people who are low income, have a suspended license, or who are
inner-city, or elderly than blind, but if I and other blind people can
afford a car and want one I don't see anything self-serving in that, it's
just doing what is most efficient.  I actually think not taking advantage of
this opportunity on the basis that the less than efficient public transit
systems work fine and that other people can use the money or whatever that
would go into buying this car would be like saying you'd pass up going to
college even though you could because other people can be served by your
tuition money, and the high school diploma would serve you just fine.  It's
more efficient, so why not do it?

Sophie, I too see it more as an investment in independence.  :)

On 4/14/13, Robert William Kingett <kingettr at gmail.com> wrote:
> Im buying this damn car the first chance I get. I'd rather be self 
> serving and frivolous and drive to some place within 20 minutes 
> instead of sitting on the bus for three hours, or more, depending on 
> if the driver didn't call my stop and I'd be riding extra long. Here 
> in chicagothat isn't a problem but I used to live in Tallahassee FL 
> where there was no automated system to tell you where you were. So 
> yes, I'd much rather be self serving and save up. Besides, as I have 
> said before in a previous message, this technology is driving along 
> the streets of Nevada. I'm so excited that I'm even grinning and 
> daydreaming about driving along side of a bus, and happy that I'm 
> frivolous enough to pay for a self serving device that will allowfor 
> me to get to the office quicker, or to an interview on time, thus 
> allowing me to have greater chances to pay my taxes so you other non 
> self serving blind people can take the bus. I think it's a neat little 
> circle of irony, don't you think? LOL!
>
>
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--
Kaiti

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