Are Hybrid Vehicles A Danger To The Blind?

[LissaValerian]

Originally Posted by bouncehouse

Yes, if a blind person can tell a person is approaching, I'm sure they can tell if a car is approaching, even if the car had no engine noise.

There is a huge difference between hearing a person approaching on foot, versus hearing the sounds of traffic., scale, distance, speed, location, etc. I think that as hybrids become more common that this will be less of a problem, because they'll be able to recognize them as a common part of the environment of sound that they come to know. But for now, a hybrid car sounds NOTHING like a person WALKING toward them, or a standard gasoline vehicle driving by on the street. Its sounds can easily be hidden behind the noises of other cars on the street.

[writersblock]

This is a good point. I am glad that it is being researched.

I think that most blind people have seeing eye dogs if they are walking the streets. The dogs should be able to warn them.

[LissaValerian]

Originally Posted by writersblock

This is a good point. I am glad that it is being researched.

I think that most blind people have seeing eye dogs if they are walking the streets. The dogs should be able to warn them.

Thats true. I didn't even think of that point. You're exactly right.

~ Lissa Valerian