[Tn-talk] FW: Major Pedestrian Safety Legislation to be Introduced

[Seay, Michael]

-----Original Message-----
From: Freeh, Jessica [mailto:JFreeh at nfb.org] 
Sent: Monday, April 07, 2008 10:44 AM
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Vincent Armstrong
Subject: Major Pedestrian Safety Legislation to be Introduced 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
CONTACT:
Christopher S. Danielsen
Public Relations Specialist 
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
cdanielsen at nfb.org <mailto: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. 
 

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