[Nfb-idaho] Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act Introduced

[Brett Winches]

My concern is the 2 year length of the study and the additional time
that would be required for regulation and implementation let alone
adoption of the rules by manufacturers.  Do we really need 2 years to
study this and for discussions sake another for regulation adoption
before the first units can roll off the line for sale?  



Merci!
Brett Winchester KD7JN 
bwinchester at icbvi.idaho.gov
208-639-8386
"Blackle.com - Saving energy one search at a time".
 

-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-idaho-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-idaho-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Freeh,Jessica
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 11:54 AM
To: david.andrews at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Nfb-idaho] 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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