Read what happened at the hearing by clicking here
”Deborah Kent Stein, Representing the National Federation of the Blind, spoke first reading from a prepared statement. It was interesting that her statement included a criticism of electronic system and mentioned being dependent upon batteries. It was the first time I heard what sounded like real requirements, something we have needed all along, not a fixed solution. She also cited the kid who claims he was hit by a hybrid because he didn’t hear it. Finally, she claimed that if hybrids weren’t equipped with noise makers, the blind would be confined to their homes, unable to venture out.”
What? WHAT? Really? If hybrids weren’t equipped with noise makers, the blind would be confined to their homes. Why? Let’s go to the fact sheet:
Number of blind people killed in a year by noisey cars = 4700+
Number of blind people killed in a year by a hybrid = 0
In 10 (Ten) years of hybrids on the road, not one of them has killed a blind person.
So, other then as an etherial boogeyman, how are hybrids so dangerous that by not installing noisemakers would they be a threat to the blind?
Okay, moving on.
At this nice hearing, which had Representatives from the National Federation of the Blind, American Council for the Blind, and American Foundation for the Blind, how many hybrid experts and owners were invited to speak? None. That’s right, they’re hoping to make a law concerning a group without letting said group have any representation. Seems to me this country fought a war over being taxed without representation!
Now, it seems to me, that if this law does pass, it won’t change anything for us, the current hybrid owner. After all, wouldn’t we be grandfathered in? Model T owners don’t need airbags or seatbelts to drive their T, why should I have a noisemaker now? Or are you going to change the nature of the grandfather clause?
All right, so, I’ll admit it, I can be persuaded to be in favor of HR 5734. All I want are two changes:
1. ALL VEHICLES MUST BE EQUIPPED WITH NOISEMAKERS FOR THE BLIND.
2. THE GOVERNMENT PAYS FOR ALL NOISEMAKERS.
Like that’ll happen.
Again, HR 5734 isn’t fixing any problems, in fact, I suggest that any idea to help the blind should be universally helpful. Like for instance, all the blind, when they leave their homes, should wear neon yellow reflective clothes, and a safety helmet with a white and red strobe light on top. That way, everyone knows they’re blind, and can give them some leeway. See, with my idea, the blind could be safe from every motor vehicle, bicycle, and other potential harmful fast moving object! Of course, the blind should pay for the vest and helmet. And should be heavily fined if their helmet doesn’t work. After all, how many blind people do I see in a day on the road? None. How many motorized vehicle does a blind person encounter a day? A lot more then none! Let’s put the safety devices where it’ll do the most preventative good, right? After all, you don’t put a “Caution: Bridge may be icey when cold” sign in the middle of a street, right?