[Nfbf-l] Fw: [nfb-talk] Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act Introduced

Sat Jan 31 05:53:25 UTC 2009

Dan, It is good to see this introduced today from these two. I received an 
e-mail today as well from a friend in the BVA of New York with the same and 
it had the remarks from Mitch Pomerantz who is the  President of the ACB as 
you well know. It is good to see the ACB and the  NFB agree on this bill! I 
hope all of this support works out for a positive result for all of us! Your 
Friend in the cause, Kirk Harmon
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dan Hicks" <danjhicks at yahoo.com>
To: <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, January 30, 2009 9:38 PM
Subject: [Nfbf-l] Fw: [nfb-talk] Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act 
Introduced


> Even before the official Washington Seminar kickoff, we gain some support 
> from a Florida Congressman. Please see below.
>
> Dan
>
>
> "If you want to go quickly, go alone.
> If you want to go far, go together."
>                        - African Proverb
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Freeh,Jessica (by way of David Andrews <dandrews at visi.com>)" 
> <JFreeh at nfb.org>
> To: <david.andrews at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 1:53 PM
> Subject: [nfb-talk] Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act Introduced
>
>
>> 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)
>>
>> <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>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.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ###
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> 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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>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>
>
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