Hybrids threaten safety of children, cyclists, not just the blind, NHTSA hears
06/23/2008, 3:26 PM
By paulee
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration held a public hearing today regarding the threat hybrid vehicles pose to pedestrians. The blind were always an identifiable victim to whisper-quiet hybrids, with the U.S. government to pass legislation that would have hybrids emit minimum sound levels.
At the hearing, representatives from the American Foundation for the Blind and National Federation of the Blind argued hybrid cars pose a threat to 1.1 million legally blind Americans, 20 million Americans who are visually impaired but not legally blind, as well as cyclists and children.
The parties argued that the growing number of hybrid vehicles, capable of operating on electricity at low speeds, combined with the growing number of older Americans with poor vision, will exacerbate the problem, according to an Automotive News report.
While some are calling for the vehicles to make artifical noises, others still are saying a wireless communication system should be used. The NHTSA is against adding to noise pollution. Owners of hybrids were not invited to contribute to the talks, but NHTSA Deputy Administrator Jim Ports said the agency is accepting is accepting written suggestions.
The Detroit 3, Toyota and six other automakers were represented by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, and said the automakers are behind finding a solution to the problem but aren’t convinced adding sound is the answer, saying research into the matter is needed. Such data will come later this year, as an SAE International panel will present its year-long findings into the problem before the end of 2008.



06/23, 3:26 PM
posted by:
xyunya
My government works diligently to protect me and my young! What a waste of tax dollars, again.
06/23, 3:30 PM
posted by:
HemiRoadRunner
^^^^ I can’t believe how much I agree with you. Isn’t that odd, maybe I should buy a lottery ticket today.
06/23, 3:33 PM
posted by:
HemiRoadRunner
Hey U.S Government, what about the 20 MILLION ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS POSING THREATS TO THE 250 MILLION AMERICANS! This is why you watch your kids and know what they’re doing. If I hit a kid with my car because they didn’t look both ways, I’d get out, scrap them off my car, smack their @$$ then make them clean my car off.
06/23, 3:35 PM
posted by:
A4
i hate you prius
06/23, 3:38 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
For kids, what happened to the “look both ways before you cross the street”?
For blind people, they usually hear better than sighted people, and if they have a dog, well, it hears better, too.
For people with poor eyesight (I’m one of those people), get your eyes fixed or stay out of the street.
For blind and deaf people, even a Hemi Cuda would run you over.
Here’s the worst part: “Owners of hybrids were not invited to contribute to the talks,” Hybrid owners can’t even defend themselves adequately.
There are other cars that are quiet, too, not just hybrids. Pretty soon, fart cans are going to be mandatory, and sound walls are going to be put up around all streets. It’s ridiculous that our country is so sue-happy.
06/23, 3:46 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
I don’t mind it killing kids but leave the blind cyclists alone!
06/23, 3:51 PM
posted by:
xyunya
And the question of the week: how do you expect blind person driving it? What is they don’t feel engine vibration when only electric motor engaged?
06/23, 3:55 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
Intellectually blind people run Congress.
I hope Prius sales pick up in DC.
06/23, 3:57 PM
posted by:
thart66
wouldn’t the quietness of the vehicle help those who are driving by ear?
06/23, 4:00 PM
posted by:
TOZO
Yeah, cars need to make noise so that we all go deaf, and get hit by cars because we can’t hear them. It seems like there’s a problem both ways.
06/23, 4:16 PM
posted by:
tripleonefive
Yea perhaps Toyota should make their engines noisy like GM engines. That way everyone can hear them
That is what Toyota gets for refinement.
Why dont the blind and legally blind stay inside where they belong? There is nothing for them to see outside anyway
06/23, 4:24 PM
posted by:
zeeck
wow, i already hate cyclitsts and their “share the road even though i’m going to go 20 under the speed limit and ride in the middle of the road” crap and my parents yelled at me if i didn’t look both ways, why don’t pedestrians stay on the freakin sidewalks where they belong? and for the blind crossing the road, most intersections will beep at you when you are allowed to cross, what the hell is the big deal here?!!
06/23, 5:01 PM
posted by:
brassmonkey
Melt down all the hybrids and let’s build Suburbans and Excursions from the remains!
06/23, 5:02 PM
posted by:
TomF
The street is for cars. The sidewalk is for kids. Morons who cook up demented complaints like this for free publicity should be gaffer-taped to their kitchen counters. That way Priuses can run free and nobody gets hurt.
06/23, 5:03 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
And what about people who are just plain f*cking stupid? That would constitute about half the population by my reckoning. What sound would you have to make to get the attention of an idiot? Wait… televangelists could make a fortune off this.
06/23, 5:39 PM
posted by:
carrerajh
Stick a coffee-can muffler like all the kids have on their rice burners. Better performance and you can damn well hear em coming!!
06/23, 6:19 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
1115, I’m legally blind. But with vision correction (contact lenses), I have 20/20 vision and I drive very well. Legally blind is a very broad statement.
Carrerajh, fart cans wouldn’t give a Prius any added benefit. The only thing it would do is make the lawnmower engine sound like a lawnmower, but at low speed, the lawnmower doesn’t run.
06/23, 6:38 PM
posted by:
Jigs
what bullsheet! cars 2 loud cars 2 quiet… cars to big cars to small cars to hungry cars dnt use fuel… isnt this like turning in to Models beeing to skinny and photoshoped and girls now puking up there dinner to be like them :S lol!
06/23, 7:12 PM
posted by:
A4
give it some crazy whirrring noise
06/23, 7:13 PM
posted by:
A4
like an egg beater.. although that probably has more power than a prius
06/23, 11:08 PM
posted by:
1981blueZ28
You know that guy on TV that is always bitching about noise pollution. I hate that guy. This is why I love my Camaro. Everyone knows I’m coming from a mile away. better yet my brothers 1968 GMC pickup has spikes welled on the front bumper so everyone better get the f#$% out of his way
1115: I have a picture for you. http://photobucket.com/image/honda%20sucks/mexicanjew86/torque.jpg?o=15
Remember, speed kills so save some lives and drive a honda.
06/23, 11:20 PM
posted by:
jdasch1
I wonder if the oil companies are funding this debate?? Just give the cars a clicking noise or some type of rotating pulley noise like an Explorer has, and all will be done with this topic. Less than 900 millivolts is all it would take to make the noise. Whooppee!!!!!!
06/24, 12:48 AM
posted by:
tripleonefive
LOL well right after that pic was teken that Mustang didnt run anymore
I dont care if my Honda can do that lol You are really a hick arent you ?>
06/24, 2:12 AM
posted by:
1981blueZ28
I will fix some mistakes in your comment for you. “that pictuer was taken” “didn’t” “my Honda can’t do” Racing in a Honda is like the Special Olympics. Even if you win, you’re still retarted
06/24, 2:15 AM
posted by:
1981blueZ28
Well let me fix some of my mistakes. “picture” “retarded”
06/24, 5:52 AM
posted by:
fuzz40
“wow, i already hate cyclitsts and their “share the road even though i’m going to go 20 under the speed limit and ride in the middle of the road— Here we go again……
06/24, 10:34 AM
posted by:
shaver
They should put b’ball cards in their spokes.