[real-eyes] Fw: Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act Introduced

From: "V Nork" <ginisd@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <real-eyes@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 01:08:51 -0800
: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 8:46 PM
Subject: Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act Introduced


> CONTACT:
>> 
>> Christopher S. Danielsen
>> 
>> Director of Public Relations
>> 
>> National Federation of the Blind
>> 
>> (410) 659-9314, extension 2330
>> 
>> (410) 262-1281 (Cell)
>> 
>> <mailto:cdanielsen@xxxxxxx>cdanielsen@xxxxxxx
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 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.
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[real-eyes] Fw: Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act Introduced

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