Posted on 07/06/2010 10:21:45 AM PDT by Willie Green
WASHINGTON -- The age of the silent hybrid may be coming to an end.
Gas-electric hybrids, propelled by electric motors at low speeds, are well-known for their quiet ride and great mileage. But their silence isn't always golden.
Some researchers and safety groups say that quiet operation -- "hybrid creep" -- can pose risks for unsuspecting pedestrians and the blind, who use sound cues.
Advocates for the blind have sought the addition of artificial noises in hybrids for several years, concerned that the expected sales growth of hybrids could lead to more pedestrian fatalities and injuries. Hybrids account for about 2 percent of new car sales each year but auto companies are expected to boost production in advance of tougher fuel efficiency standards this decade.
"This is an example of too much of a good thing," said John Pare, executive director for strategic initiatives with the National Federation of the Blind. "Cars got quieter, that was good. Suddenly they got to be so quiet that it added an element of danger."
(Excerpt) Read more at pittsburghlive.com ...
You definitely don’t have that problem with trains...
The car did it? Beats blaming it on the dog...
Silent vs Anal
Anal will win in at this time in our nation’s existence.
The ability for U. S. Citizens to find something to complain about knows no bounds.
Give them zero emissions and they’re still hot happy.
Everyone is at risk with all the silence. People and especially more kids are likely to pop into the road and get hurt.
Maybe they need to go back to the old noisy “playing cards in the spokes of bikes” method or whatever. What ever then can do will be better than silence IMO.
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“Hybrid creep” often defines BOTH the car and the owner.
I have a great idea. I need a financial backer though. We could come up with a device that makes a loud audible noise and equip these hybrid electric cars with them. That way when an unaware pedestrian walks out in front of of the driver, the driver could press the devise and it would warn the pedestrian of impending danger. The Gov’t could make them mandatory on all vehicles. I know I could make big money with that one. Anyone want to go in with me on it?
Reminds me of our experience a few decades ago.
We had an early electric car (an enclosed golf car, really) and wanted to get insurance. One company refused to insure us because “electric cars sneak up on other cars and hit them.”
More cow bells.
These days a lot of gas engines are almost silent.
Just grab a baseball card and a clothespin. Worked for me when I was a kid!
The Prious is a sneaky little bastard. Had one creep up on me while standing in a neighborhood street to view a house exterior. I checked both ways before doing it and can always hear a “normal” car coming. This little turd crept up to about 5 feet from me before I sensed something was there.
Prious=Prius, I think.
ooooooo! I like where this is heading.
Howler monkey tied to the hood!
Maybe Rachel Carson could write a book and call it Silent Green.
Got an idea. With the purchase of a hybrid you get a CD with the sounds of a big block chevy and an external speaker on the grill.
Problem solved.
Put marbles in the hubcaps.
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