[nfbwatlk] Legislative Alert-Update on the Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010

[Hartle, Jesse]

Fellow Federationists:

I am writing to report that all of our hard work on the issue of 
silent cars continues to pay off.  Language that will protect the 
blind and others from the danger posed by silent hybrid and electric 
vehicles has been favorably reported to the United States Senate by 
the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation as part of the 
Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010 (S. 3302).  This legislation, which 
is a comprehensive bill to address numerous vehicle safety issues 
raised by the recent Toyota recalls, now includes language agreed to 
by the National Federation of the Blind and others.  This language, 
if enacted into law, will require the Department of Transportation to 
issue regulations requiring a minimum sound standard for hybrid and 
electric automobiles.

This victory is a product of our hard work and the cooperation of the 
automobile industry, but we will need to remain vigilant to make sure 
that this language becomes law.  The House and Senate must still pass 
their respective versions of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010, 
and then any differences between the bills will have to be reconciled 
in a conference committee.  We will keep you apprised of developments 
and let you know when action needs to be taken to secure a final 
victory that will protect the blind and others from the dangers posed 
by silent vehicle technology.

Thank you again for all you do.

Jesse M. Hartle
Government Programs Specialist
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
Telephone:  (410) 659-9314, extension 2233
E-mail: <mailto:jhartle at nfb.org>jhartle at nfb.org

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