Recent issues with the Toyota Prius notwithstanding, there is much that is good about the new breed of “green” hybrid and electric cars. Namely, they do not spew poisons into the atmosphere that reputable, independent scientists now determine are largely responsible for global climate change as well as an explosion in respiratory ailments in many regions. They are also very quiet-running and do not contribute to noise pollution – and herein lies a problem.
The Danger of Silent Running
Yes, we are all (hopefully) taught from an early age to look both ways before crossing a street – but the reality is, we rely on our ears almost as much as our eyes – and in the case of the visually impaired, the ability to hear traffic is vital. In September of 2009, the National Highway Traffic Safety Adminstration (NHTSA) issued the results of a study, reporting that the risk of injury accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists are “significantly higher” when it comes to hybrid and electric vehicles, particularly when these vehicles are traveling at typical city speeds (20 – 35 MPH).
The problem is that pedestrians and cyclists cannot hear these vehicles approaching – and the problem is likely to get worse as more and more drivers turn to these new “green” automobiles.
Congress Steps In
As you may be aware, lawmakers on Capitol Hill have been working on legislation that would give increased power and oversight to the U.S. Department of Transportation over auto manufacturers when it comes to safety issues and recalls. Although this has met with considerable resistance from Republicans who insist the new rules would dramatically raise operating costs for struggling auto makers, the bill is continuing to make headway – and now contains an amendment that would require companies that manufacture hybrid and electric cars to install some kind of alert system that would produce a warning sound when the vehicle is traveling on residential and city streets at low speed.
Is It Necessary?
It can be argued that those who drive hybrids and electric cars could simply sound their horn when they see pedestrians and cyclists (a brief tap or two would be sufficient) – but there are presently no laws requiring them to do so, and most drivers would fail to remember to do so in any event.
Interestingly, the auto industry itself actually supports this legislation, as to advocacy groups for the visually-impaired. Requiring auto makers to install such alert systems would naturally increase the cost of such green vehicles, but this would most likely be offset by reductions in liability insurance rates – since avoiding pedestrian and cyclist accidents would naturally reduce personal injury and liability claims.
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