Press release - how the blind nonsense gets distributed

[darelldd]

Well done, Bob.

(I'm really bummed that we didn't have a chance to discuss this in Detroit!)

[bwilson4web]

Hi,

I get no pleasure from this conflict. While I am sympathetic to the plight of the blind, I live too much in the real world to ignore what a disaster these noise makers would be. Worse, because of this issue, I'm fully aware of the daily pedestrian death toll.

On average, just over 12 pedestrians die every day and least 60 are injured to the point of needing medical attention or hospitalization. There are probably three times this number who just pick themselves up and hobble off to heal their bruises, scrapes and torn clothing. And this is just the daily toll.

It is a shame that the blind community who first brought this subject up, has yet to reach out to the hybrid community to work together on pedestrian safety. But to do this, they must put aside preconceived expectations about the solution and we, the most innovative and adaptable owners in the market today, must agree to pursue a results oriented effort ... one whose goal is reduction of the 4,700 pedestrian deaths and many more injured and disabled.

So let me be clear that I hate having to oppose H.R. 734. But it would be worse; it would be callous; it would be irresponsible to stand aside and let H.R. 734 mandate a failed solution.

H.R. 734, "Bell the Hybrid," would only ensure that someday in the future, the last thing a bind pedestrian heard was a legislated noise maker just before they were crushed to death. Because after all, that is the world the blind live in today only the noise makers are pickup trucks and SUVs and they already kill 5 blind each year. H.R. 734 gives the pickups and SUVs a free ride to continue the carnage.

Bob Wilson

[darelldd]

I even go farther than that, Bob. I don't just count the people who are injured by being HIT by cars. How about all the deaths that are caused simply by burning fossil fuels? There seems to be no outrage because we don't see blood on the pavement. There is no outrage about this when fossil fuel consumption kills more people than hybrids could ever hope to run over. If we need to fix something, we need to fix having our cars run on gas!

[bwilson4web]

Originally Posted by darelldd

I even go farther than that, Bob. I don't just count the people who are injured by being HIT by cars. How about all the deaths that are caused simply by burning fossil fuels? There seems to be no outrage because we don't see blood on the pavement. There is no outrage about this when fossil fuel consumption kills more people than hybrids could ever hope to run over. If we need to fix something, we need to fix having our cars run on gas!

I'm pretty sure we'll see in my lifetime, I'm 59, both a substantial sea level rise as well as plenty more "Katrinas" and "Bush fires." <grumble><grumble><grumble> Then there is what happens when industrialized agriculture runs out of oil ... grim times, my friend, grim times indeed.

Bob Wilson

[darelldd]

So what you're saying is that it is a GREAT idea to put money and effort into noise makers to save us from all this. Right?

[qbee42]

Originally Posted by bwilson4web

<snip>
It is a shame that the blind community who first brought this subject up, has yet to reach out to the hybrid community to work together on pedestrian safety.
<snip>

Perhaps they *are* reaching out to us, but just don't know where we are. If we made more noise perhaps they could find us.

Tom

[bwilson4web]

Originally Posted by darelldd

So what you're saying is that it is a GREAT idea to put money and effort into noise makers to save us from all this. Right?

No, not at all!

However I'm looking at these emerging technologies and would like to see them standard (and with a generous insurance discount!) on our hybrids first:

• Volvo pedestrian detection and accident avoidance radar
• Denso lane following, pedestrian detection, sign reading, adaptive cruise control, radar and video system
• BMW pedestrian body heat detection system
• Replace these mirrors with cameras and blind spot detectors
• Interactive vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian wireless (using keyfob technology)
• Advanced accident prevention systems including sleepy and impaired driver support systems

Compared to these systems, noise makers are a child banging on a toy, metal drum and just as ineffective as today's pedestrian and vehicle safety systems.

We have the technology to make our vehicles and roads much safer. It is time to apply these advanced systems, learn our lessons, and build better ones for the future.

Bob Wilson