[Nfbv-announce] NFB of Virginia Raises Awareness of Growing "Silent" Danger

[John Bailey]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



CONTACT:

John Bailey

National Federation of the Blind of Virginia

(703) 994-2040

info at VirginiaQuietCars.org



NFB of Virginia Raises Awareness of Growing "Silent" Danger
Announcing a website to inform the public about the potential     dangers 
raised by the proliferation of silent hybrid cars


Fairfax, Virginia (August 14, 2010): The National Federation of the Blind of 
Virginia (NFBV) responds to the danger of America's growing population of 
hybrid automobiles by introducing VirginiaQuietCars.org. 
VirginiaQuietCars.org is a brand new website designed by the National 
Federation of the Blind of Virginia in response to the growing trend for 
automobile manufacturers to design extremely quiet vehicles.



These "quiet cars" are currently causing injuries on American roads, as a 
recent research report sponsored by the U.S. Government has said "that 
hybrid vehicles are twice as likely to be involved in pedestrian crashes at 
low speeds compared with cars with conventional engines."



Dr. Frederick K. Schroeder, President of the NFBV, has stated that, 
"Automobiles that make no noise as they move through intersections are not 
just a hazard to those who cannot see, they are dangerous to anyone who is 
used to listening to traffic to know when it is safe to cross.  The National 
Federation of the Blind has been aware of this potential danger for years 
and is working with the automobile industry to make sure no one is killed 
because they did not hear the car coming."VirginiaQuietCars.org provides 
information, blog posts and videos designed to give the public and the media 
a comprehensive understanding of the problems that quiet cars pose to all 
pedestrians (with and without sight).




VirginiaQuietCars.org is also announcing the premier of its media vault as 
part of its comprehensive educational website!  The first presentation in 
the media vault is a video featuring Greg DeWall as he demonstrates how 
someone who is totally blind can safely cross intersections.  Greg's video 
is a great way to show the public how blind pedestrians use their hearing to 
determine when it is safe to traverse traffic.  Viewers are able to watch 
Greg as he shows the process that thousands currently use to travel safely. 
Greg also explains to viewers how quiet cars can disrupt this process and 
turn crossing the street into a dangerous ordeal.




The second video in the media vault challenges viewers to use their sense of 
hearing to judge when it is time to cross a street.  You can listen to the 
ever changing patterns of traffic noise and judge for yourself when you 
should cross.  This is an enlightening exercise that entertains as well as 
educates.  Again, the increasing presence of noiseless hybrid automobiles 
will continue to make this task nearly impossible.




The National Federation of the Blind of Virginia has been fighting for the 
rights of Virginia's low vision and blind population for over fifty years. 
Through both educational and advocacy programs, the NFBV has become a 
powerful influence for change. We believe that the greatest obstacles to 
full participation by the blind in society are simply misunderstandings 
about vision loss which can be overcome by education and fellowship.