[Nfbf-l] Fw: [nfb-talk] Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act Introduced
Dan Hicks
danjhicks at yahoo.com
Sat Jan 31 02:38:19 UTC 2009
Even before the official Washington Seminar kickoff, we gain some support
from a Florida Congressman. Please see below.
Dan
"If you want to go quickly, go alone.
If you want to go far, go together."
- African Proverb
----- Original Message -----
From: "Freeh,Jessica (by way of David Andrews <dandrews at visi.com>)"
<JFreeh at nfb.org>
To: <david.andrews at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 1:53 PM
Subject: [nfb-talk] 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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