by Melanie Brunson
During the past year, three of ACB’s leaders from three different states have been hit by cars. These are the latest in a long string of accidents involving blind pedestrians and automobiles. One of ACB’s major advocacy goals is to put an end to this tragic trend. We have worked at all levels of this organization to make our environment more pedestrian-friendly.
However, the number of cars on the road continues to rise. With it, the risk for more serious encounters between pedestrians and cars is likely to increase too. That is, unless we who are pedestrians become even more proactive and take affirmative steps to manage and lessen that risk. There are steps we can take that I think could take us a long way in that direction.
We won’t be able to get the cars off the road. Nor should drivers expect to get us off the streets. However, we can redouble our efforts to make both drivers and traffic engineers aware that cars must share the streets with pedestrians, including those who use white canes or guide dogs. We need to spread the word that planning for pedestrian traffic is just as essential as planning for motor vehicle traffic.
White Cane Safety Day provides a perfect opportunity for us to do this. Each year, ACB affiliates across the country participate in activities during the month of October that seek to educate the public about the presence of blind and visually impaired pedestrians in their communities. Many have used the occasion to lobby their state legislatures for tougher white cane laws as well. These are the very steps we need to be taking if we are to create a more pedestrian-friendly environment in this country.
Therefore, I have a suggestion. Why don’t we put together a nationwide White Cane Safety Week campaign this year? If we were to come up with a series of events and/or activities that could take place all across the country at the same time, we may be able to generate media coverage that could draw attention to pedestrian safety issues. It would also give us the opportunity to demonstrate the need for both enforcement and, in some cases, updating of current white cane laws.
The National Educational and Legal Defense Service for the Blind (NELDS) has begun compiling copies of current white cane laws for the purpose of developing a model white cane law. This is a good idea. I hope that this project will provide individuals and affiliates with a concrete proposal they can take to their state houses for their approval.
However, there is much we can do to educate the general public, and ourselves, regarding pedestrian safety issues. I think it could be both fun and effective for us to work together on a nationwide basis and focus attention on this growing concern.
Please contact Phil Strong at the ACB national office and let him know your thoughts on this proposed campaign. Give him your contact information, so someone can get back to you once the planning gets under way. You can reach Phil by e-mail at [email protected], or contact him via the address and phone numbers listed on the cover of this magazine.
I believe we have the resources within ACB to make a significant impact on the safety of pedestrian travel across the country. That impact can only increase if we pool those resources and work together. The results could save lives.