National Federation of the Blind to Speak at NHTSA Public Meeting on Dangers Posed...

National Federation of the Blind to Speak at NHTSA Public Meeting on Dangers Posed by Silent Vehicle Technology

BALTIMORE--(Business Wire)--
The National Federation of the Blind, the nation's oldest and
largest organization of blind people, will speak at a public meeting
to be held on Monday by the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration of the Department of Transportation on the dangers
posed to the blind and other pedestrians by silent engine technology
used in new vehicles, such as hybrid automobiles.

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Date: Monday, June 23, 2008
Time: 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Place: Grand Hyatt Washington
1000 H Street, NW.
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 637-4764
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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,
cyclists, runners, and small children, also benefit from hearing the
sound of vehicle engines. New vehicles, especially those 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
advocates the establishment of a minimum sound standard for all new
vehicles sold and licensed in the United States.

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.

National Federation of the Blind
Chris Danielsen
Public Relations Specialist
410-659-9314, ext. 2330
410-262-1281 (Cell)
cdanielsen@nfb.org

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