[Missouri-l] FW: [leadership] FW: Senators John Kerry and Arlen Specter Introduce Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act

[Peter Altschul]

-----Original Message-----
From: Patti Gregory-Chang [mailto:pattichang at att.net] 
Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 8:28 PM
To: Patti Gregory-Chang
Subject: 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 <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org> 


U.S. Senators John Kerry and Arlen Specter
Introduce Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act


National Federation of the Blind Applauds 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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