[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 87 (Tuesday, June 22, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H4659-H4660]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EXPRESSING SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING EXERCISING INCREASED CAUTION FOR
DRIVING IN PROXIMITY OF POTENTIALLY VISUALLY IMPAIRED INDIVIDUALS
Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 56) expressing the sense of the
Congress that 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.
The Clerk read as follows:
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.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and the gentlewoman from California (Ms.
Millender-McDonald) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette).
Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, H. Con. Res. 56 expresses the sense of Congress that
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.
Hundreds of visually impaired individuals have had their white canes
and guide dogs run over by motor vehicles, have been struck by the
sideview mirrors of motor vehicles, and have suffered serious personal
injury and death as a result of being hit by cars.
Unfortunately, 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.
With a little education by the States, and some extra attention paid
by drivers, we can greatly improve the safety along our surface streets
for those individuals who are visually impaired.
Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of H. Con. Res. 56.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 56, which expresses
the sense of Congress that States should require candidates who apply
for a driver's license to demonstrate an ability to exercise greatly
increased caution when driving in the proximity of a potentially
visually impaired individual.
More than 1 million individuals are blind in the United States. Many
more
[[Page H4660]]
are visually impaired. They face many obstacles in their daily lives
and travels.
Visually impaired people, including the blind, are particularly at
risk when they come in close proximity with motor vehicles when they
walk along or cross a street. They are often unaware of vehicular
traffic nearby that could pose a serious threat to their safety.
Although many of the blind are familiar with ways to reduce the risk
and behave accordingly, their safety is still very much dependent upon
the driver's ability to recognize their presence and to exercise
greater caution in operating their vehicle.
H. Con. Res. 56 is an attempt to raise the driver's awareness to the
blind and visually impaired pedestrians. They need to know that the use
of a white cane or a guide dog signals a visually impaired individual.
To ensure that all licensed drivers have such knowledge, H. Con. Res.
56 expresses the sense of Congress that each State should require
license applicants to demonstrate an ability to associate the use of
the white cane or guide dog with visually impaired individuals and to
exercise greater caution when driving in their proximity before being
granted a driver's license. This is a simple requirement, which will
greatly enhance the safety of the visually impaired.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman
from Illinois (Mr. Evans).
Mr. EVANS. Speaker, I rise in full support of H. Con. Res. 56.
There are 1.5 million visually impaired Americans struggling to gain
and maintain their independence. Many gain independence through the use
of aids to mobility, such as white canes and guide dogs.
Unfortunately, not all licensed drivers recognize the significance of
pedestrians using these canes or these dogs. They do not make the
connection that the user of these mobility aids may be blind. They do
not exercise increased caution while driving in proximity to
pedestrians using these mobility aids.
Some blind individuals have had their white canes broken by motorists
not exercising caution as they drive in close proximity. Others have
suffered serious personal injury caused by careless drivers.
This resolution will make pedestrian travel a little safer for the
visually impaired individuals using mobility aids. It is a near-zero-
cost motion to encourage States to update their requirements for award
of driver's licenses to reflect the need to recognize mobility aids for
the blind and the need to increase greatly increase caution while
driving near individuals using these aids.
{time} 1115
The resolution has been fully supported by major associations for the
blind, principally the American Council for the Blind, the American
Foundation of the Blind, and the Blinded Veterans Association. It also
has the support of the American Association of Motor Vehicle
Administrators.
I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense resolution and make
America's crossroads safer for the blind.
Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I will yield myself the remainder of our
time.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Evans)
for drafting this concurrent resolution. It is a good idea. I think it
is sound policy and urge our colleagues to support it.
Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Graves). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res.
56.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was
agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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