RESOLUTION 2001-5
Increasing Penalties for Violation of the "White Cane Law"
WHEREAS the National Federation of the Blind believes that, with proper
training and opportunity, blindness can be reduced to the level of
a
physical nuisance; and
WHEREAS blind persons are able to cross intersections independently
using
the white cane or guide dog; and
WHEREAS Florida Statute 316.1301 provides that whenever a blind person
is
crossing a street, driveway, or any other place, all traffic must come
to a
complete stop; and
WHEREAS, the right of every citizen to travel safely throughout the
community is a basic right of every citizen; and
WHEREAS many other rights and privileges of citizenship are contingent
upon
the ability to travel safely and independently; and
WHEREAS independent blind people regularly have their statutory right-of-way
violated, placing blind pedestrians in danger; and
WHEREAS the penalties of violation of this Statute are minimal, carrying
maximum assessment of three points on the driver's Moving Violation
Report
(MVR) and/or a fine of $95: Now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the
Blind of Florida, in convention assembled this second day of September,
2001
in the City of Tampa, Florida, that this organization will work diligently
to educate drivers about the "White Cane Law"; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we work with law enforcement agencies to
develop
enforcement protocols used by patrol officers to increase enforcement
of
this Statute; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we urge judges to levy maximum penalties
of
offenders of this Statute; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we urge the Florida Legislature to strengthen
the "White Cane Law" by increasing the fines for violation of this
Statute
to more appropriately reflect the seriousness of the offense.