[Nfb-idaho] Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act Introduced

[Mike Freeman]

I suspect the legislation wouldn't stand a snowball's chance in hell of passage without such a study and timetable.

Mike

----- Original Message -----
From: "Brett Winches" <bwinches at icbvi.idaho.gov>
To: "NFB of Idaho Discussion List" <nfb-idaho at nfbnet.org>
Date: Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 18:13:59
Subject: Re: [Nfb-idaho] Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act Introduced

>
>
> 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 FreeheaJessica
> 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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