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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, While any pedestrian may be injured by a car, blind |
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or visually impaired pedestrians are especially at risk, and |
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members of the American Council of the Blind are visiting the State |
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Capitol today to help raise awareness of this important issue; and |
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WHEREAS, Visually impaired pedestrians, who tend to make up a |
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higher percentage of the pedestrian population because they cannot |
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drive, encounter hazards that pedestrians with average vision can |
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easily avoid, many of which involve crossing streets and roadways; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, It is not uncommon for pedestrians who are visually |
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impaired to be struck by a car's side-view mirror or to have their |
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white canes or guide dogs hit by a car, and men and women have |
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suffered serious personal injury and even death as the result of |
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being hit by a motor vehicle; and |
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WHEREAS, In a recent national survey, some 20 percent of |
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motorists reported being unaware that it is the law to yield the |
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right-of-way to pedestrians, and according to AAA, aggressive and |
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careless driving, which already accounts for some 20,000 deaths in |
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the United States each year, is on the rise; and |
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WHEREAS, During the 81st Texas Legislature, Regular Session, |
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the American Council of the Blind and other groups successfully |
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advocated for the passage of House Bill 1343, which amended state |
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law to increase the penalties incurred by motorists who cause |
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serious bodily injury or death to blind pedestrians; and |
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WHEREAS, It is vital that Texas motorists use special caution |
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when approaching an intersection or crosswalk and be aware that |
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although they can see pedestrians, many pedestrians cannot see |
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them; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas |
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Legislature hereby express the importance of pedestrian safety and |
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driver awareness and welcome members of the American Council of the |
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Blind to the State Capitol. |
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Straus |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1660 was adopted by the House on May |
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6, 2011, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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