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.

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

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. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on S. 2017 and H. Con. Res. 56, the measures just considered by the House.