[Nfbnet-members-list] National Federation of the Blind Applauds Issuance of Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act Regulations

[Danielsen, Chris]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Chris 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


National Federation of the Blind Applauds Issuance of Pedestrian 
Safety Enhancement Act Regulations



Baltimore, Maryland (November 14, 2016): The National Federation of 
the Blind commented today on the issuance of regulations by the 
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to implement 
the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2010, which was passed by 
Congress and signed by President Obama to protect the blind and other 
pedestrians from the dangers posed by silent hybrid and electric vehicles.

Mark A. Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind, 
said: "Having raised concerns on behalf of blind Americans about the 
dangers posed by silent hybrid and electric vehicles, the National 
Federation of the Blind is extremely pleased that technical 
specifications for a safe level of sound to be emitted by such 
vehicles have now been issued. The full implementation of the 
Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2010 will protect all 
pedestrians, especially the blind, as well as cyclists. This 
regulation will ensure that blind Americans can continue to travel 
safely and independently as we work, learn, shop, and engage in all 
facets of community life."

Studies conducted by NHTSA indicate that, under certain low-speed 
scenarios, the odds of hybrid and electric vehicles being involved in 
collisions with pedestrians are thirty-five percent higher than those 
for comparable internal combustion engine vehicles and that the odds 
of hybrid and electric vehicles being involved in collisions with 
cyclists are fifty-seven percent higher than for comparable internal 
combustion engine vehicles. The Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act was 
passed by unanimous consent in the United States Senate and by an 
overwhelming bipartisan majority vote of 379 to 30 in the House of 
Representatives. It was signed by President Obama on January 4, 2011.

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About the National Federation of the Blind

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the 
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise 
the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create 
obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life 
you want; blindness is not what holds you back.




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