Virtually silent engines remove key cue to safety; group seeks legislative help -- Robert Preidt
Hybrid cars run significantly quieter than gasoline engine cars, causing concern for the visually impaired who listen for sounds to guide their steps around traffic. So, when the approaching vehicle cannot be heard, it poses a danger to the pedestrian, even one with good vision.
Is this an effect of going green that you were aware of?
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For such an environmentally conscious city full of activists, ours is not terribly forward-thinking or enacting (does that make sense?), whereas Dallas and Houston have been either ahead of or leading the curve. It's not easy finding alternative fuel around town; I know of only one station in my part of town, and we're one of the most heavily populated sections with hundreds of little hybrids and the Smart Car shop! I don't get it, lol!
Yes, I am concerned about the dangers of such quiet cars. It may be nice to not hear so much noise on the road, but we're not prepared for it. There are still lots of kids darting out into our neighborhood streets on their bikes and boards, and you can see them look up when they hear a car like mine. Even the deer look - and I wonder how many hybrids have hit deer, hmmm...
I went for high gas mileage - but in my little luxury sports car, hehehe.
July 22, 2008 - 4:14pmThis Comment
Strangely, I heard this report about a month ago when someone in the office was waiting for one of the last few 'green' license plates left in Arizona. In addition to the visually impaired, heard that crossing guards aren't too happy with the hushed hybrid either. A louder car engine can be a line of defense against kids darting out into the road. If you were considering going green, are you having second thoughts because of this news?
July 21, 2008 - 8:29pmThis Comment