U.S. Government: Electric and Hybrid Cars Aren't Noisy Enough

[ruizhernandeztrust]

Administrators and Moderators: I don't know if this is the right place to post, if not feel free to move.

I was a little bored and decided to start reading some news in carcomplains and saw this news, IN MY OPINION is the most ridiculous idea I ever heard.

January 7, 2013 — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has proposed that hybrid and electric vehicles meet minimum sound standards so pedestrians can hear approaching vehicles traveling at low speeds.

Electric and hybrid vehicles do not rely on traditional gas or diesel-powered engines at low speeds, making them much quieter and their approach difficult to detect, especially by people who are hearing impaired. The proposed standard would fulfill Congress' mandate in the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2010.

Under the current proposal, the sounds would need to be detectable under a wide range of street noises and other background sounds when the vehicle is traveling under 18 miles per hour. At 18 miles per hour and above, electric and hybrid vehicles make enough noise to allow pedestrians and bicyclists to detect them without added sound.

Each automaker would have a range of choices about the sounds it chooses for its vehicles, but the characteristics of those sounds would need to meet certain minimum requirements. In addition, each vehicle of the same make and model would need to emit the same sound or set of sounds.

NHTSA estimates that adding sound to these vehicles could lead to 2,800 fewer pedestrian and bicyclist injuries over the life of each model year vehicle.

What do you think guys?

[MikeThompson]

A playing card hooked to the spokes with a clothes pin always worked on my bicycle when I was little.

[6.0f250firstcar]

Originally Posted by MikeThompson

A playing card hooked to the spokes with a clothes pin always worked on my bicycle when I was little.

I did that same thing but with a stick when I was pittle


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[ruizhernandeztrust]

LOL!
I think a few empty beer cans attached with a string to the rear bumper will do the trick too.

[Fantom]

I think they should have to play the "Jaws" song

Jaws Theme Song - YouTube

Jaws Theme Song - YouTube

[thomaslord84]

I have an idea, how about people look both ways before crossing the street. That is what I was taught when I was young. Anyone who is dumb enough to walk out into a street without looking both ways needs to get run over, those genes need to be culled out of the gene poole.

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[ruizhernandeztrust]

Originally Posted by thomaslord84

I have an idea, how about people look both ways before crossing the street. That is what I was taught when I was young. Anyone who is dumb enough to walk out into a street without looking both ways needs to get run over, those genes need to be culled out of the gene poole.

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I agree with you 100%, more federal regulations in favor to dumb people.

[ruizhernandeztrust]

Actually some EV is using the system right now. (I'm surprised)

2012 Fisker Karma Pedestrian Warning Sound in Electric Vehicle Mode - YouTube

2012 Fisker Karma Pedestrian Warning Sound in Electric Vehicle Mode - YouTube

[jesilvas]

Originally Posted by thomaslord84

I have an idea, how about people look both ways before crossing the street. That is what I was taught when I was young. Anyone who is dumb enough to walk out into a street without looking both ways needs to get run over, those genes need to be culled out of the gene poole.

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Maybe it's for blind ppl. Just an idea.

[6.0f250firstcar]

Yep its for both blind and/or deaf people.