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."
If we're going to force auto makers to add noise to their hybrids, may I suggest the sound of a baby going "Waaaaaahhh?" I mean, really. One of the unintended benefits of the hybrid revolution has been the notable decrease in urban noise, at least in my neighborhood. Now, the inevitable public-interest advocates are coming out of the woodwork. Evil corporations are killing blind people! Something Must Be Done! And the government is happy to along with it.
The linked article does mention that 4,300 pedestrians were killed in 2008, the most recent year for which data are available. Naturally, there is no mention of whether this was an increase, a decrease, or the usual tragic toll. The NHTSA sez their data provides that hybrids are two times more likely to be involved in pedestrian accidents at low speeds. Naturally, there is no mention of whether silence was the cause of the accidents, whether suddenly endangered blind community was disproportionately involved, or even whether the driver or pedestrian were deemed to be at fault. Also, there was a comical incident on The Office where one character snuck up on the other in his "silent" Prius and pinned him to a wall. Well then! (Note: yes, the article includes this in its "evidence" that Something Must Be Done).
On the one hand, the solution could be: order car companies to add artificial noise to their hybrids (which really aren't truly silent. All of the hybrids I've encountered while dodging danger have had distinctive acceleration and deceleration tones), so that the air is filled with annoying computer-generated chirrups; and with each auto manufacturer developing their own tone. On the other hand, we could all act like adults and exercise caution when entering or approaching an intersection. But, we all know what bureaucrats think of radical ideas...
