“States should require candidates for driver's licenses to demonstrate an ability to exercise greatly increased caution when driving in the proximity of a potentially visually impaired individual.”
Every year, guide dogs, white canes and blind pedestrians are struck by drivers who do not understand the purpose of guide dogs and white canes. While White Cane Safety Laws exist as an attempt to reduce the risks which blind and visually impaired pedestrians face on the street, drivers too often do not understand or know what the guide dog and white cane mean, or the law designed to protect them.
Well, that may change, as Congress has passed legislation which states that “each State should require any candidate for a driver's license…to demonstrate, as a condition of obtaining a driver's license, an ability to associate the use of the white cane and guide dog with visually impaired individuals and to exercise greatly increased caution when driving in proximity to a potentially visually impaired individual.”
After three years H. Con. Res. 235 finally passed. The bill was originally sponsored by Lane Evans of Illinois, who recently decided not to run for reelection due to health issues and was given an award at this year’s legislative seminar. Below is the final version (Enrolled Bill) as passed by both Houses, passed the House in July and was agreed to September 25th, 2006.
One Hundred Ninth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE SECOND SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, the third day of January, two thousand and six
Concurrent Resolution
Whereas many people in the United States who are blind or otherwise visually impaired have the ability to travel throughout their communities without assistance;
Whereas visually impaired individuals encounter hazards that a pedestrian with average vision could easily avoid, many of which involve crossing streets and roadways;
Whereas the white cane and guide dog should be generally recognized as aids to mobility for visually impaired individuals;
Whereas many States do not require candidates for driver's licenses to associate the use of the white cane or guide dog with potentially visually impaired individuals; and
Whereas visually impaired individuals have had their white canes and guide dogs run over by motor vehicles, have been struck by the side-view mirrors of motor vehicles, and have suffered serious personal injury and death as the result of being hit by motor vehicles:
Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that each State should require any candidate for a driver's license in such State to demonstrate, as a condition of obtaining a driver's license, an ability to associate the use of the white cane and guide dog with visually impaired individuals and to exercise greatly increased caution when driving in proximity to a potentially visually impaired individual.
Philip Strong
Transportation/Advocacy Specialist
American Council of the Blind
1155 15th ST NW, Suite 1004
Washington, DC 20005
Tel: (202) 467-5081 ext. 16
Fax: (202) 467-5085
pstrong@acb.org
Go to the Pedestrian Safety Index.