Click above for a high-resolution gallery of the 2007 Toyota Prius Touring.
While the Toyota Prius and other hybrids may be the next best thing to riding a Vespa for the environment, one group has been concerned about their lack of noise they produce. Members of the National Federation of the Blind are voicing their concerns to a Maryland legislative committee today regarding the safety of hybrid vehicles while running in all-electric mode. It's been reported over the last couple of years that individuals who rely on sound to safely interpret and navigate their surroundings are at risk when navigating congested urban environments populated by hybrids. The legislative task force will study the effects of a vehicle's noise levels on pedestrian safety and make a recommendation by the end of the year. If this initiative gets traction, we don't think a Prius will start singing like the Ferrari F430 anytime soon... but maybe they could give it a nice growl like the Audi R8?
[Source: Automotive News (subs. req'd)]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Keith Griffin @ Feb 19th 2008 7:50AM
The NFB has a good solution to the problem on its own website that wouldn't involve legislation. This is from its Quiet Car Conference November 2006:
"One alternative would be the development of a device capable of detecting vehicles and providing blind pedestrians with information about them which has in the past been available through hearing. Such a device, one that blind pedestrians would carry and use, would have certain advantages. There would be no need to convince people who have little incentive to change that a modification of their vehicle design is required. Inventing and overseeing the production of such a device could allow the people for whom the problem is most acute to be in charge of designing the solution. There would be no need to accommodate the blind through changes in the environment; rather, the blind would adapt for themselves."
If only more groups would embrace the idea of not changing an environment, but rather adapting to it, there might be less need for intrusive legislation.
AJay @ Feb 20th 2008 5:01AM
My sentiments exactly. I am appalled by how common place it has become for people to believe they are justified in forcing the many to conform to the needs of the few. It is far more realistic, intelligent and appropriate for the few (in this case the blind or vision impaired for all the PC freaks) to adapt to change. This whole situation is solved with a seeing eye dog. If people really feel something must be done, then why not have hybrid/electric vehicles transmit a signal that could be received by a device the blind can carry that would alert them to the approaching vehicles proximity?
recoveringlawyer @ Feb 20th 2008 9:28PM
The National Federation of the Blind has considered all alternative solutions to the problems posed by the silence of hybrid vehicles and other new vehicle technologies, including the solution you mention. However, it has been decided that the disadvantages of such a device outweigh the advantages. Why should the blind have to carry yet another device (in addition to our cell phones, PDA's, canes, keys, etc.) to do what our ears used to do perfectly well? What if we accidentally leave it at home, or its batteries die, or it simply fails to function properly at a critical moment? How would the device tell us if more than one silent vehicle is approaching, or how fast it's going, or in what direction--things which our ears now tell us? What about other pedestrians, people who ride bicycles, and small children, who might also be affected by the absence of vehicle sound? If it's unreasonable to expect all pedestrians to carry such a device, then it's also unreasonable to expect the blind to do so. Technology may in the future provide a comprehensive solution to this problem, but it doesn't appear feasible right now.
Wally @ Feb 19th 2008 7:57AM
Maybe this situation is right for that product that was on the blogs not too long ago that made your car sound like a Hemi....
calebe @ Feb 19th 2008 8:12AM
So nice to know they have solved all the real problems and have time left over for something like this
tom6433 @ Feb 19th 2008 8:20AM
it just goes to prove that you cannot please everyone and there will always be someone that is going to bitch.
Joe @ Feb 19th 2008 8:39AM
The consensus on AutoblogGreen was that the Prius should sound like a Jetsons Car.
Peter L @ Feb 19th 2008 8:41AM
Blind people should not be jay walking.
Our crosswalks have audible sounds indicating when it is safe to cross.
This is a non issue in BC
BowserUSC @ Feb 19th 2008 4:35PM
Not all crosswalks have audible sounds for the lighs nor do all crosswalks even have lights. I guess you're just ... wrong about everything.
Derek @ Feb 19th 2008 7:33PM
What about neighborhoods? Parking lots?
It is good that BC has taken measures of their own. Down here in the states our crosswalks often start flashing the caution signal no more than 5 seconds after the walk signal when I am crossing a 4 lane road.
andrew @ Feb 19th 2008 8:45AM
perhaps they could use that aftermarket v8 sound system you made fun of earlier on this blog.
porschedevotee @ Feb 19th 2008 1:55PM
nah, they obviously need Bubb Rubb's whistle tips! Whoo whooooooooooooooo!
Adriano @ Feb 19th 2008 8:49AM
No, I can't believe it...
They are sooo stupid! Or is it to support GM?
Maybe a good subwoofer can solve this problem :P
yankee @ Feb 19th 2008 8:49AM
what are they going to do when we all go quiet, make more noise pollution so they can Jaywalk
Josiah @ Feb 19th 2008 8:57AM
truly a waste of public resources
I would expect this sort of shenanigans from Florida maybe (I kid, I kid) but certainly not Maryland.
refugee7 @ Feb 19th 2008 3:24PM
I live in Maryland. It is pitiful how extremely liberal the state has gone this year. Crazy crap like the first sales tax increase in a long while now this? I am glad, seeing how Priuses make up a significant portion of vehicles in Maryland due to greenfreaks. Bash greenfreaks with more communist demands.
Den in IN @ Feb 19th 2008 9:08AM
Man, you guys are cold. Most blind people are trying to be active parts of society and have learned to adapt to navigating through life sightless. If you remove another of thier senses you just compound the problem. What is the big deal with adding a sound to alert them to a really dangerous situation? If we put up with cars that have high hoods and blunt grills so sighted people can jaywalk in Europe and Spanish sinage all over the place, this seems like a no-brainier.
Alan @ Feb 19th 2008 9:13AM
Considering the timing, I wonder if it has anything to do with this:
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080216/drag_racing_080216/20080216?hub=TopStories
davewin @ Feb 19th 2008 7:10PM
No, anyone that stands around watching a street race probably isn't blind. Not smart, but probably not blind.
Alan @ Feb 20th 2008 9:09AM
Actually, the car that hit everyone had its lights out and it was something like 3am, and it came up behind another car.