[Njabs-talk] U.S. Senators John Kerry and Arlen Specter Introduce Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act

[EVELYN E. VALDEZ]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
CONTACT:

Chris 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. Senators John 

Kerry and Arlen Specter
Introduce Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act
The National Federation of the Blind Applauds them for their Measure
 to Protect Lives and Preserve Independence of Blind Americans


Washington, DC (April 22, 2009): Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) 

introduced a bill, S. 841, 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. 


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 Senators Kerry and Specter 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.”   



“I’m a major proponent of hybrid vehicles––I 

own one, I drive one, and I’ve seen firsthand their environmental and economic 

benefits,” said Senator Kerry.  “The 

market is demanding new technologies in the auto industry, and Americans are 

demanding we finally kick our foreign oil addiction.  As we continue to 

promote our energy independence, however, we must do more to ensure the safety 

of those who use senses other than sight to navigate the roads.  I look 

forward to working with Secretary LaHood to ensure that hybrid vehicles are safe 

for everyone.”  


“Blind people 

have the same right to safe travel as all other pedestrians,” said Senator 

Specter.  “I look forward to working with my colleagues on this important 

legislation to ensure that the blind and other pedestrians can continue to 

travel safely and independently.”  


 


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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.