We've all seen the discussions on whether or not the quietness of the Prius causes more accidents and I think we can agree that it can be a problem when people who aren't looking just don't hear the car approaching. So, what is the proper etiquette for warning people that you are right behind them and are about to pass? I've been in parking lots or narrow unpaved roads where people are just walking along oblivious of my approach. Even if they are to the side and I have room to pass, I'm always a little worried that they could decide to move out in front of my car right at the wrong time. I always feel it's impolite to honk (I grew up in London where nobody honks unless the situation is absolutely dire) and it usually gives people a scare, but there doesn't seem to be much choice. If there is enough room, I generally just pass and hope they don't decide to step out in front of me, but it always makes me a little nervous... should I honk?
I've had the same problem in other cars; it's not unique to the Prius. I don't honk. I hate horns. I just wait for the pedestrian to stumble out of the way, while muttering unflattering comments under my breath. Tom
Funny. I'm new to owning a Prius and have heard of such incidents while running in stealthmode. Today it happened to me for the first time. Was moving quietly through the parking lot at the local community college I teach at and was following behind a student walking in front of me, obviously oblivious to me following him out of the parking lot. I kept my safe distance and just figured he'll move eventually...and he did, a quick and suprised turn of his head and I could tell by his sudden sideways jump that I caught him by surprise- even though I had given him about 15 feet of clearance...at around 2 mph... So, I say just let them continue on their oblivious, self-absorbed path...and keep yourself in stealth mode...I feel good knowing that I'm running on battery and not burning gas when I move slowly and quietly in parking lots!
I have experienced the problem driving in a big multi-level mall parking station in cars other than the Prius, so the issue is not just a Prius issue. Most modern cars, when travelling at low speed are quiet, and a lot of people walking around these areas do not always think about what others are doing around them. I find a light tap on the horn, just a bip, wakes them up to the potential danger.
The Prius' horn is light enough. Alternatively, you can press the throttle a little harder to get the engine to come on... maybe they'll hear it when the engine fires up.
It's a NO WIN situation.... They would complain if we bumped into them and they would complain if our "BELL" bothered them. :violin: My opinion is "Don't Bell The Prius".
As a pedestrian, it is better to have one's senses up a notch or two. Natural selection has a cruel way of manifesting itself in any parking lots.
Last Week, I took my 2010 in for a replacement tire, and was talking to the Service Writer. She told me I could go meet the shuttle driver, and then I nearly steped out in front of my own Prius which was being brought into the shop. How ironic is that?
Here, many just amble along as if they own the pavement where the cars are supposed to drive. And, it is not legal to hit illegal aliens, so ... One might install a Hi/Low "volume" (horn selector) switch (or relay) to select either one's new "truck" horn or the old OBM "meep, meep" horn. Then, give a quick, light "meep" and if they do not move over ... go for the "fog horn" effect, and see if they walk over and "key" your car. Well, maybe "stealth-and-wait" is the safest policy, but ...
I needed to backup once at the dealer (there was a car parked directly in front of me) and there were some people standing behind my car. I waited for a few seconds with the car in R, thinking they would see the backup lights and get the hint. But they were oblivious, so I slowly started backing up and they eventually got the idea. :madgrin:
As long as it is outside the car, instead of that stupid noise just being inside the car. However, that only solves the problem of backing out - what about moving forward?
I honk them, usually with one short and quiet as possible honk. Sometimes I honk them louder than that when I think the situation warrants it, e.g., when they're crossing in the middle of the street with their back toward traffic or if they're crossing in the middle of the street while talking on a cell phone or while listening to headphones. In New York City where I live, pedestrians frequently cross in the middle of the street, cross against the light, cross when they don't have the right of way and/or are otherwise distracted. So I use my horn a lot, and almost always out of concern for the safety of pedestrians.
If you're near them just waiting then turn your Air Conditioning up full blast/coldest air. This will give just enough noise on the outside for anyone in the general area might be able to hear it. It's not a guarantee but if they're not too involved in their walk down the center of the road, they should hear it.
I was walking my dog this morning, and a car passed us by as we were in the bike lane. Car was going about 30mph and made a right turn just ahead of us. The car - a new Mercury Milan - made virtually no noise until it was beside us. No doubt from the tires on the road. Still say, many newer non-hybrid cars are as virtually silent as our Prius'.
