Verna L. Dotson

October 28, 2002

Please do anything you can to see that audible traffic signals are placed at intersections that have regular traffic lights.

My husband was totally blind, and for several years we lived in an area with extremely busy streets and crossings that were at an odd angle. My husband had vending stands in meat-packing plants, and he had to cross these streets every day to go to work. He also had to cross these same streets to go to the grocery store or anywhere else.

We finally had to sell our home and move to another neighborhood because the traffic became so heavy that he was afraid to cross the streets. He was a very good traveler. He used a cane, and people were always commenting on how well he got around. But he was afraid of the traffic.

We moved into a neighborhood that had one audible signal at that time, in 1961. Since then, the number of audible signals in this neighborhood has gone up to about ten, and it really makes it easier to get around.

When I was younger, I could see to travel, but I lost all my sight as I got older. I am not a good cane traveler, and I would never try to cross a street without a buzzer light. There are many people like me who are afraid to travel when they lose their sight, and without audible signals we are prisoners in our homes.

I am also afraid of the curb cuts that don't have anything to let me know I am on them. I am in the street before I know it.

Mr. Windley, young blind people who have good mobility training may not need these things, but I do. Please help us old ladies have a little freedom without being afraid of getting run down by cars we cannot hear or see. Thanks you for reading my comment.

Verna L. Dotson