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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009
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Japanese Mull Noisier Hybrids to Protect Blind

Survey finds blind people are unnerved by silent vehicles

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(Newser) – Japanese automakers are looking into ways to make their super-quiet hybrid cars a lot louder after more than half of blind people surveyed said they were terrified of the vehicles, AP reports. The automakers are considering equipping the vehicles with radar to sense pedestrians and make sounds like engine noises or a musical riff similar to a ringtone.

A reporter drives Toyota 's plug-in hybrid vehicle during a test run in Tokyo.
A reporter drives Toyota 's plug-in hybrid vehicle during a test run in Tokyo.   (AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara)
Visitors look at Toyota Motor Corp's hybrid car
Visitors look at Toyota Motor Corp's hybrid car "Prius" displayed at the company's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009. Toyota reported a smaller-than-expected 77.8 billion yen (US$819...   (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)
Workers give new Prius hybrid vehicles a final checkup at Toyota Tsutsumi Plant in central Japan.
Workers give new Prius hybrid vehicles a final checkup at Toyota Tsutsumi Plant in central Japan.   (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
Reporters get into Toyota Motor Corp.'s plug-in hybrid vehicles for a road test in Tokyo.
Reporters get into Toyota Motor Corp.'s plug-in hybrid vehicles for a road test in Tokyo.   (AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara)
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4 comments
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Ptoadstool
Sep 8, 09 4:55 AM CDT
The last thing cities need is more noise. I drive a hybrid, and also work with blind people - I've heard this complaint, but there really is no empirical evidence that adding artificial engine noise or chimes would make any difference at all. It would add to the cacophony of sounds already in an urban environment. A well-designed modern vehicle makes so little noise as it is that it doesn't much matter if there is a gasoline engine or not. Usually the tire noise is at least as loud. Reply
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Vyridian
Sep 8, 09 8:39 AM CDT
I guess the squealing breaks and honking horn aren't loud enough. Or people could just, I dunno, not hit pedestrians. Reply
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+3
Ucantusethatname
Sep 8, 09 10:18 AM CDT
Blind persons should not be driving. Reply
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+2
Todd_English
Sep 8, 09 11:24 PM CDT
I agree hybrids are nice and quiet for the people that own one but when your out road biking and a Prius sneaks up on you at 65 mph it really scares the crap out of you. Reply
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