The official described the man as a “special needs driver.”
What does that mean? I know several deaf people who drive, and while I know they are very responsible, I’ve often wondered about how could they hear a horn, or an accident, or a siren.
90% of horn use is unnecessary and useless, so no great loss there. If you're close enough to hear an accident, you're probably close enough to see it. And even if you can't hear the siren, you can see the lights in enough time to get out of the way; I'm constantly amazed by how many drivers with the full use of all five senses simply don't.
On the other hand, a deaf driver isn't distracted by the radio, the cell phone, music blaring from other people's cars, or yakking passengers, so they're more attentive and on balance probably safer drivers.
Yeah ... this must be New Jersey, where the former governor described himself, at a 'outing' news conference, as a gay American.