Are Hybrid Vehicles A Danger To The Blind?

[skatss]

I never even thought of THIS problem!

Because Hybrid vehicles operate on battery-powered electric motors when idling and traveling at slow speeds, they are really quiet. They only have the distinctive noisy rumble of their internal combustion engines when the cars speed up.

So the Baltimore-based National Federation of the Blind has pushed for the legislation to protect those who rely on their hearing to know when to cross the street.

"It seems to me that if we can put audible signals on walk signs for the blind, then we can put an audible signal on a hybrid," the president of the Center for Auto Safety said.

What ever will our big cities do when the streets are filled with quiet Hybrid cars? I guess we will all be able to hear everyone else yelling into their cell phones. Sad but true!

[autoguru]

I did read an article about this. I really have not heard many hybrid cars and I didn't realize how quiet they are suppose to be.

I guess this would effect blind people crossing streets. I guess that means it is really quiet inside?

[Dwaynez]

Signals should be properly studied and installed on the pedestrian lanes and corners for the hearing impared and the blind people. Maybe an audio signal and a visual light or something.

[Uguis]

Hybrid cars sure are dangerous to the blind. Signal audios should be placed beside the crossing lane to signal when they will cross the street.

[bouncehouse]

I never noticed this. I'm going to have to go to my friend's house and listen to her hybrid.

Even if the engine is quiet, isn't there just general noise of a large body in motion, such as crunching tires, whoosh of air, etc?

[tom]

I do find it hard to believe that the hybrid cars are really that quiet.

[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.

[dobylove]

This could be dangerous, but it depends wheter the car is running on electric or alternative fuel. I think the noise would be the biggest factor on this.

[Jeremy LA]

When the car runs on electric motor. No noise there, I think its a big problem of course for a blind crossing the street.

[LissaValerian]

Hybrid cars are EXTREMELY quiet. When stopped at a light, you'd think the car had stalled or had died.

~ Lissa Valerian