[Blindtlk] Media Advisory: Major Pedestrian Safety Legislation to be Introduced

[David Andrews]

>
>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
>CONTACT:
>Christopher S. Danielsen
>Public Relations Specialist
>National Federation of the Blind
>(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
>(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
><mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org
>
>MEDIA ADVISORY
>
>Major Pedestrian Safety Legislation to be Introduced
>
>Representatives Edolphus "Ed" Towns (D-NY) and Cliff Stearns (R-FL) 
>will announce the introduction of legislation intended to protect 
>the blind and other pedestrians from injury or death as a result of 
>silent vehicle technology at a press conference on Wednesday.  The 
>legislation is supported by the National Federation of the Blind, 
>the nation's oldest and largest organization of blind people.
>
>Date:   Wednesday, April 9, 2008
>Time:   12:00 p.m.
>Place:  Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2247
>              Washington, DC 20515
>
>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.  Many new vehicles, 
>particularly those using hybrid or electric engine technology, are 
>silent, rendering them extremely dangerous in situations where 
>vehicles and pedestrians come into proximity with each other.  This 
>bill will ensure the safety of pedestrians who, for whatever reason, 
>do not see a vehicle approaching and are placed at risk for injury 
>or even death.
>
>
>###