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

[Serena]

It's about time!

Serena


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "EVELYN E. VALDEZ" <tweetybaby19 at comcast.net>
To: <njabs-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 23, 2009 4:40 PM
Subject: [Njabs-talk] U.S. Senators John Kerry and Arlen Specter Introduce 
Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act


>
>
>
>
>
> 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.”
>
>
>
>
>
> ###
>
>
>
>
>
> 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.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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