[nfbmi-talk] FW: [Chapter-presidents] White Cane Law

Mon Nov 21 00:04:01 UTC 2011

This sounds like, as John says, a great project for a chapter or division
(hint Guide Dog Division(.  My brother has been hit 2 times with no
repercussions to the drivers.  I think the fines are too low in this
suggestion, below.  I think 3 points is minimal with license revocation for
a hit and run.  Michigan law, as I recall is marginally satisfactory, though
we ought to consider a review and update.

Warmest Regards,

Fred

-----Original Message-----
From: chapter-presidents-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:chapter-presidents-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of JOHN SCOTT
Sent: Saturday, November 19, 2011 10:08 PM
To: NFB Chapter Presidents discussion list
Subject: Re: [Chapter-presidents] White Cane Law

Excellent ideas for a Chapter project.

John  C/ Scott
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Evans" <drevans at bellsouth.net>
To: "NFB Chapter Presidents discussion list" <chapter-presidents at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, November 18, 2011 1:21 PM
Subject: Re: [Chapter-presidents] White Cane Law

>
> Dear All,
>
> It is not even all of the police's fault that they do not know about the 
> White Cane Laws.
> The White Cane Law, in my state, is not even in the statute book that most

> police officers carry around in the police cars.
> The police officers are not schooled on all of the laws in the Books. 
> They can't be, there are too many of them to remember them all and likely 
> no way to cross reference them based on some circumstances.
> This is where we need to be proactive and help to educate them.
> The problem, as I see it, is that most of the White Cane Laws do not 
> really spell out just what a violation is, other than that all vehicles 
> approaching a driveway or intersection must come to a full stop and remain

> stopped until the carrier of the White Cane or person being lead by a 
> guide dog reaches the safety of the other side.
> The violations should be clearly defined such as a vehicle that stops 
> across the stop line or the lines of or plane of a cross walk.  A vehicle 
> that blocks a curb cut or fails to come to a complete stop before making a

> Right on Red turn or cuts a person off in the cross walk, who is 
> attempting the cross the street.
> The fines should be at least $250 for a violation and a point on their 
> license.
> If they strike a person, or their cane or dog, the fine should double and 
> add 3 points to their license.
> Some of the fines should go into a trust fund to pay for a Public 
> Awareness Program to educate drivers and the officers of Law enforcement 
> as to the White Cane Laws.  It could pay for PSA's on TV and radio and for

> public awareness programs and events at schools, driving schools and Law 
> Enforcement educational events.
> I have had an idea for a P.S. A. program where we get candy from the MARS 
> candy company, such as M and M's and have a White Cane Law message printed

> on the bags and little White Canes printed on the candies and then we sell

> them as a fund raiser or give them away to motorist to make the Public 
> aware and spread the White Cane message.
> Please let me know what you think and offer some ideas of your own please.
>
> David Evans, NFBF and GD Jack.
> President, Palm Beach County Chapter, Florida
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Veronica Smith" <madison_tewe at spinn.net>
> To: "'NFB Chapter Presidents discussion list'" 
> <chapter-presidents at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2011 10:22 PM
> Subject: Re: [Chapter-presidents] White Cane Law
>
>
>> That is why it is up to us to educate them.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: chapter-presidents-bounces at nfbnet.org
>> [mailto:chapter-presidents-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Mark Tardif
>> Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2011 6:30 PM
>> To: NFB Chapter Presidents discussion list
>> Subject: Re: [Chapter-presidents] White Cane Law
>>
>> Forgive me for being harsh towards the police, but it is just amazing how
>> ignorant and stupid so many so-called police officers are about the White
>> Cane Laws, in whatever states.  Just my opinion.
>>
>> Mark Tardif
>> Welcome to my planet
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Merry C. Schoch" <merrys at verizon.net>
>> To: "NFB Chapter Presidents discussion list" 
>> <chapter-presidents at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2011 1:48 PM
>> Subject: [Chapter-presidents] White Cane Law
>>
>>
>>> Hello,
>>>
>>> I know this thread of color canes has been going on for quite some time,
>>> this is one reason for my changing the subject line (hoping this will 
>>> get
>>> read).  My husband was hit by a car today and thankfully was not 
>>> severely
>>> hurt.  When I arrived on the scene, after making sure my husband was 
>>> okay,
>>
>>> I approached a female deputy.  I asked her if the driver would be cited
>>> under the White Cane Law which my husband had given her the statute 
>>> number
>>
>>> before I arrived.  The officer told me that an "accident is an accident"
>>> and she was investigating.  She then said to me that he wasn't using a
>>> cane he was using a dog.  I told her if she looked up the statute she
>>> would see that guide dogs were part of the law.
>>>
>>> My husband then called for a higher authority at the district and so
>>> another officer arrived on scene.  After dialogue which had an air of my
>>> husband being at fault.  The officer finally looked up the law.  Now to
>>> get to the point of this writing regarding color canes:  The officer
>>> looked a my cane and told my husband that my NFB cane was not covered
>>> under the law because it did not have a red tip.  I groaned inside and 
>>> let
>>
>>> my husband instruct him on this and then  the officer reread the law. 
>>> So,
>>
>>> again, my point is we have a difficult time convincing law enforcement
>>> that the totally white cane is within the law could you imagine the 
>>> grief
>>> we would suffer if we used color canes?
>>>
>>> Respectfully submitted,
>>> Merry Schoch
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "Veronica Smith" <madison_tewe at spinn.net>
>>> To: "'NFB Chapter Presidents discussion list'"
>>> <chapter-presidents at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2011 9:24 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [Chapter-presidents] colored canes
>>>
>>>
>>>>I like the different colored handles as well, maybe I will suggest that 
>>>>to
>>>> the group that brought it up in the first place. Thanks for reminding 
>>>> me.
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: chapter-presidents-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>> [mailto:chapter-presidents-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Fred 
>>>> wurtzel
>>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 8:37 PM
>>>> To: 'NFB Chapter Presidents discussion list'
>>>> Subject: Re: [Chapter-presidents] colored canes
>>>>
>>>> Hello,
>>>>
>>>> Green signs are directional.  Blue signs are informational.  yellow 
>>>> signs
>>>> are warnings.  Red signs are commands.  These are standardized so
>>>> motorists
>>>> can quickly understand the context of the message.  Though I really 
>>>> liked
>>>> the idea of having a different handle cover for various outfits, the 
>>>> cane
>>
>>>> is
>>>> a traffic signal and people all over the world quickly understand its
>>>> significance.  This can be good or bad, depending on their attitudes
>>>> about
>>>> blindness.
>>>>
>>>> Warmest Regards,
>>>>
>>>> Fred
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: chapter-presidents-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>> [mailto:chapter-presidents-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Veronica
>>>> Smith
>>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 15, 2011 10:15 PM
>>>> To: 'NFB Chapter Presidents discussion list'
>>>> Subject: Re: [Chapter-presidents] colored canes
>>>>
>>>> Before I go any further, I want to let you know that I agree with you 
>>>> 100
>>>> percent.  But on that same note, I have a question.
>>>>
>>>> We, the blind, want peeps to accept us for the individual we are, not 
>>>> for
>>>> the fact that we are blind or sighted, right?  But still we focus on 
>>>> what
>>>> color our cane is, white being the international and accepted color. 
>>>> It
>>>> should be if a person carries a long cane, regardless on color, they
>>>> should
>>>> know that we are blind and need consideration  by not running over us.
>>>> This is the argument that was first presented to me.  I hate when I can
>>>> see
>>>> both sies of the coin.
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: chapter-presidents-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>> [mailto:chapter-presidents-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michelle
>>>> Clark
>>>> Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2011 3:47 PM
>>>> To: 'NFB Chapter Presidents discussion list'
>>>> Subject: Re: [Chapter-presidents] colored canes
>>>>
>>>> Perhaps I am from a very "old school". Why would I want a person to 
>>>> know
>>>> about me by various colors  of my cane? The main event is to pay
>>>> attention
>>>> and not run over me which could be to my detriment or even death. I 
>>>> think
>>>> what some are trying to do will take the focus off of the purpose of a
>>>> cane
>>>> ; which is to help give direction and to aid and assist in travel.
>>>>
>>>> If one is at a   wedding, a party, or on the runway of a fashion show,
>>>> then
>>>> I would say do what you want. However, when I am walking the streets, I
>>>> want
>>>> a nationally recognized symbol of my blindness; a long white cane.  I 
>>>> do
>>>> not
>>>> want a driver to make a choice on how they are going to react and use 
>>>> up
>>>> precious time going through the color choices and the appropriate
>>>> response.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks,
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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