Bill Would Protect the Blind from "Silent" Cars

Blind people and pedestrians in general would be offered some protection from the dangers of quiet hybrid cars under a bill introduced in Congress on April 9, by Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-New York, 10th).

"The beneficial trend toward more environmentally friendly vehicles has had the unintended effect of placing the blind and other pedestrians in danger," said Rep. Towns in introducing the bill H.R. 5734 -- The Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2008.

When stopped or being driven at slows speeds, hybrid vehicles typically operate on their silent, battery powered electric motors, rather than their noisier internal combustion engines. When running on their electric motors, states the bill, "hybrid vehicles cannot be heard by blind people and others, rendering such vehicles extremely dangerous when driving on the street, emerging from driveways, moving through parking lots, and in other situations where pedestrians and vehicles come into proximity with each other."

Under the bill, the Department of Transportation (DOT) would create and implement federal regulations requiring vehicles that operate with "virtually no sound" to be modified so that they "emit a minimum level of sound" necessary to alert pedestrians, "especially blind pedestrians," to their presence.

As with other big changes in vehicle safety standards, like seat belts, this one will not happen quickly. The bill requires the DOT to study the "silent-vehicle" issue for two years before issuing its regulations. Automakers would then have an additional two years to comply.

Also See: Federal Regulations: Laws Behind the Acts