[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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