Hybrid Car Noise Bill to Protect Pedestrians

[Guest]

I just ran across this bill SB2550 and I wanted to bring this to someones attention.

Requires the DOT to establish minimum sound level standards for all phases of hybrid vehicle operation, applicable to every new vehicle sold in this State and licensed for use on its public streets, roadways, or highways; report to 2009 legislature on findings.

I get the fact that they are trying to protect pedestrians, but to establish a "minimum sound level" just seems so awkward to me.[]

Don't most people that own their Hybrids like the fact that they are so silent?

Wouldn't this bill impede the sales of Hybrid vehicles?

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Happy Birthday Aaron

[gtill]

Wow, ban we must, 'THIS BILL BANS QUIET!' Is this another state first?

I seem to remember as kids with bikes we used playing cards and clothspins to make like a motorcycle?

[Greg]

Maybe they could drag tin cans behind them. This low tech solution would also help the solid waste problem.[]

[Bob Orts]

When the first all electric EV's came out, there were several serious car pedestrian/bicycle accidents due to the "quietness" of the EV's. I’m sure some were due to inattention of the pedestrians/bicycles who may have drifted into the EV's lane or they didn't use common sense and LOOK before they acted, but, there was enough incidents to raise the safety concern that EV's often were upon a person without them knowing the vehicle was there. Since the time GM cough up the money to a blind victim’s estate under a product liability case, some manufactures have incorporated some type of small audible devices in the cars. On some it's a mechanical air or drive-train driven thing that makes a slight variable whirring sound to alert people of the approach of a vehicle and on some it's an electronic sound generator tied to the movement of the vehicle. As noted in the bill, the blind are especially at risk.

The federal vehicle regulations do not mandate these devices. Some manufactures have already incorporated these devices to prevent further lawsuits and to address the issues raised by the blind and parent groups. The all electric quiet car was the catalyst but the popularity of hybrids like the Prius (which are audible next to the EV-1’s), have brought this issue forward. Accidents are happening based solely on a person not knowing the vehicle is present or that it’s accelerating, decelerating, stopped or moving. I think Hawaii may just be following what some other states are doing and that's asking the feds to mandate some sound device. Since many new alternative (all electric) powered vehicles are being approved for sales, some manufactures may omit the devices not realizing the safety concerns raised.

[Guest]

quote:

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Originally posted by gtill
...Is this another state first?

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It appears that Maryland and Virginia are also trying to get this bill enacted.

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On this day in History:
The Supreme Court ruled the power of the federal government is greater than that of any individual state

[mgeary]

Not a big deal to me one way or another, but I'm curious: is this bill a response to a perceived threat, or an actual threat, to blind people? Are hybrid or EV owners somehow not looking out for blind pedestrians? Do blind pedestrians no longer have the right-of-way? How many blind people were involved in auto vs. pedestrian accidents last year? Of those, how many involved hybrid or EV autos? Were hybrid or EV autos disproportionately represented in auto vs. pedestrian accidents involving blind people?

It's easy to imagine a blind person not being able to hear a hybrid or EV, creating an imagined threat. It's not so easy to compile statistics showing that there is an actual threat based on actual injuries. I guess we could start adding safety requirements on auto manufacturers (who pass the costs along to consumers) based on imagined threats, but that's not usually how it's done.

In terms of numbers of people injured, maimed, and killed, cell phone use by drivers is WAY more dangerous than silent vehicles, but we haven't really done much to prevent cell phone users from yakking away while driving.

Aloha! ;-)

[Guest]

quote:

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Originally posted by mgeary
...In terms of numbers of people injured, maimed, and killed, cell phone use by drivers is WAY more dangerous than silent vehicles, but we haven't really done much to prevent cell phone users from yakking away while driving.

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I think your talking about HB3323 which would make it illegal to operate a cell phone in Hawaii while driving, unless it was a hands free device.

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On this day in History:
The Supreme Court ruled the power of the federal government is greater than that of any individual state

[Menehune]

Not being MEAN, just trying to be realistic. [|)]

How loud do these devices need to be - what if it's raining - what if the wind/brezze is blowing and carrying away all sound from a person - what if a person is "hard of hearing"?

What about bicycles, skateboards, fast walkers, runners, baby carraiges, electric golf carts (on a golf course), shopping carts, wheelchairs (some are electric), centipides, rats, cats (is that why we "bell the cat")? []

Has anyone thought of the cost of the "American Disabilities Act" in our everyday lives? Small towns in America have gone broke ripping up sidewalks and installing ramps at ALL intersections, beepers at ALL traffic lights. [!]

Is one of the problems that the charter school "Waters of Life" has; related to "ADA" compliance in the buildings they rented?

We as a society CANNOT make the world totally safe for EVERYONE or even ANYONE.

BUT we sure are trying.

OOPS! Is this called a "rant". [}] SORRY! [V]

[gtill]

The reason for this is called Lawyers! As to the cell phone users, when they start dying by the millions of cancer then their use will decline (do the phones have warning labels yet)?

[allngood]

Menehune,
Thank you for this:

We as a society CANNOT make the world totally safe for EVERYONE or even ANYONE.

I am in 100% agreement.
Allen