To Whom It May Concern:
My Name is Michael Gibson. I live at 3226-D W. Girard Ave. Englewood, CO 80110.
I am writing to voice my opposition against the proposed regulations to equip
every lighted intersection in the United States with audible traffic indicators.
I believe the cost of equipping said intersections would be extremely expensive
and probitive. The Millions of dollars which will be spent could be better used
to fund training programs for the blind and visually impaired to learn how to
cross intersections safely.
As a blind person myself, I commute to work, church, and the grocery store
independly and cross lighted interesections without the aid of an audible
traffic signal. I was taught to used the sounds of traffic to know when to
safely cross interesections. The additional sound of an audible traffic signal
would make it difficult to hear the traffic. The noise from the signals would
actually be a safety hazard.
In conclusion, the regulations are bad for all people who cross lighted
intersections. The cost would be extremely expensive and tax dollars would be
better spent training blind and visually impaired people to travel safely and
independently. Finally I feel this issue should be discussed on the community
level where people are accutely aware of the local conditions and enviromental
concerns. Each lighted intersection should be considered on an individual basis
not by a blanket federal mandate.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Michael Gibson