Quiet hybrids pose an 'invisible' risk

Kind of odd... seems like the author made a few minor edits to an article he posted yesterday, renamed the headline, and posted it as a "new" article.

http://priuschat.com/SJMN-Hybridsand39-dan...ack-t15697.html

 

I suppose now we'll have to install a speaker that operates at low speeds and says, "Make way, make way! I am a hybrid!"

 

(repeat of comment from another thread)

To me this whole issue comes down to "right of way" and common sense.

If a pedestrian walks into the right of way of a vehicle then it is the responsibility of that pedestrian to look for potential danger.

Now really now....who in their right mind doesn't know that when you are walking into a roadway made for cars, trucks, buses etc that it is up to the pedestrian to check on the safety of entering that roadway? Has common sense suddenly disappeared?

- shaking my head -

 

On a busy street in Michigan near the house I grew up, the buses would come over the hill, and let off the throttle. Since the engine is at the back, they would whoosh by almost noiselessly as they went by at 40 MPH. A kid at the bus stop almost got hit once, not paying attention. As a pedestrian, you need to watch for moving vehicles. Period.

Nate

 

Let's face it - no matter what stupid thing a pedestrian does, the car driver must be responsible for him because the driver is operating a 3,000 pound machine. I often drive in areas crowded with pedestrians in New York and I drive as though they are all 5-year-olds who could suddenly dart in any direction. Pedestrians with cell phones are particulary hazardous - I am surprised no state has passed a law against it. What with ipods, cell phones, blackberries, etc, a lot of people are no longer in the real world.

 

The driver needs to ber responsible for the safe operation of their vehicle, but I disagree that the driver is responsible for the pedestrians who make mistakes. What ever happened to "look left, right, and left again?". Did you know that more pedestrians get hit IN crosswalks than OUT of them? They think it's some sort of invisible "right of way" barrier. My biggest concern, however, is the mall parking lots. When I'm driving my Prius there, I INCH along, fearful of somebody walking out from between cars without hearing me coming.

 

:lol:

Okay. Better patent it (both technology and phrase) before someone beats you to it.

 

A pedestrian in the crosswalk has the right of way. Driving responsibly would seem to take care of most of this problem. That and turning up the stereo.

 

Model after the electric courtesy carts in airport terminals:

Hang out the window and yell, "Excuse the car, please! Excuse the car!"

 

I am not talking about legal responsiblity. I think a driver should be resposible for more than just "the safe operation of their vehicle". A good driver is a defensive driver - that means driving so that you anticipate the errors of other drivers and pedestrians. It is not enough to never make a mistake while driving, you have to allow for the mistakes of others. As far as hitting someone in a mall - if you drive slowly, right in the middle of the lane and look very carefully for people, there is almost no way you could hit them. At worst, they could walk into you. At 5 miles per hour you should be able to stop instantly. Also, don't be aftraid to use the horn - it isn't rude, its a safety device. The horn has saved me from being hit 3 times by cars backing up without looking. In my opinion, a pedestrian always has the right of way over a car because he/she is completely defenseless.

 

so...who is gonna be the first sue-happy idiot that takes on an automaker because the car is too quiet???....there is always at least one.

If that was the case, I would sue some of the owners of these ricers around here, and those with loud stereos that have contributed to my hearing loss!!!!!

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

I want the speaker to play the sound of a Formula One race car!

 

I'm Marian. My Prius will be 4 years old in March. It has 117,000 miles. I LOVE it. I worried a lot about the silence and pedestrians at first, too. Now (Knock on wood!!!) I seem to be sensitized to it, but I remember at first really wishing they would have a backup beep the way construction equipment and trash trucks do. I still think it would be a good idea.

I've noticed, as a pedestrian, that once a hybrid has a little speed going, say 15 mph plus, the wheels still make quite a lot of noise, which is good for the pedestrian.

There are certainly some blind spots - but any car has those. I can't say enough good about my car. Ordering it was my reaction to Sept. 11. If only GM and Ford and Chrysler had decided on that day to start producing hybrids in a big way, they'd be sitting pretty now.

 

I still insist that is why the EV is not installed on US cars... Sue Sue Sue everyone!!!

 

hey what about those deer whistle things... but for people?

:lol: