[Nfbv-announce] FW: U.S. Representatives Edolphus Towns and Cliff Stearns Introduce Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act

[Fredric Schroeder]

  _____  

From: Freeh, Jessica [mailto:JFreeh at nfb.org] 
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 11:52 AM
To: Alpidio Rolon; Amy Buresh; Anil Lewis; Art Schreiber; Beth Rival; Bob
Kresmer; Carl Jacobsen; Cathy Jackson; Charlene Smyth; Christine G. Hall;
Daniel Burke; David Ticchi; Don Galloway; Donna Wood; Elsie Lamp; Franklin
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Gaffney; Ron Brown; Ron Gardner; Sam Gleese; Scott LaBarre; Selena
Sundling-Crawford; Steven Priddle; Terri Rupp; Tommy Craig
Subject: U.S. Representatives Edolphus Towns and Cliff Stearns Introduce
Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act


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)

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.  

 

 

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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.