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.