From the New York Times:

Automakers are working to add sound to electric cars, hoping to avoid a federally imposed safety standard that would protect pedestrians from the ultra-quiet vehicles.

The notion that the silent vehicles could pose a hazard has gained backing in Congress, among regulators and on the internet. The Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 was introduced this year, following complaints by advocates who said silent gas-electric hybrid vehicles could endanger people who are not able to see them.

Said Karen Aldana, a spokesman for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: “We’re looking at data on noise and E.V. safety, but manufacturers are starting to address it voluntarily.”

Among possible solution: Special effects noises pumped out of speakers in car bumpers, and driver-selected car ring tones.

This entry was posted on Monday, October 19th, 2009 at 11:32 am and is filed under blindness/visual impairments. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.