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From the Desk of Philip Strong "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." Every year, guide dogs, white canes, and blind pedestrians are struck by drivers who do not understand the purpose of guide dogs and white canes. While White Cane Safety Laws exist as an attempt to reduce the risks which blind and visually impaired pedestrians face on the street, drivers too often do not understand or know what the guide dog and white cane mean, or the law designed to protect them. Well, that may change, as Congress has passed legislation which states that "each State should require any candidate for a driver's license 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." After three years H. Con. Res. 235 finally passed. The bill was originally sponsored by Lane Evans of Illinois, who recently decided not to run for reelection due to health issues and was given an award at this year's legislative seminar. Below is the final version (Enrolled Bill) as passed by both Houses, passed the House in July and was agreed to September 25th, 2006. Philip Strong
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