Greetings:

In Daytona Beach, Florida we celebrated WHITE CANE DAY with a street crossing event. We chose a busy crossing and with newspaper and TV watching and the Mayor's participation we paraded across the intersection. One event stands out in my mind; it is a message against audible signals:

Several sighted folks participated and I found it a little difficult paying attention to traffic sounds with the several voices shouting over the traffic sounds. One of the sighted people shouted "GO!" as the light changed, and I listened to her rather than to the traffic sounds. The result was that a late turning car and I both took off at the same time. I heard the car and jumped back.

Had I listened to a traffic signal, like I did to the voice I could have been killed. Audible traffic signals give one a false sense of security and should only be available at the most poorly designed intersections and used only when there is no chance for chance turning traffic.

J.D. Townsend