I heard this on Fox News LMAO!

[plusaf]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(snakeman @ Oct 4 2007, 04:03 PM) [snapback]521424[/snapback]</div>

My bad. That's what I get for posting too early in the morning.
Back to the topic, I think it's rather silly that anyone would encourage more noise pollution in urban settings when the answer is simply better sidewalks, audible crossing signals at intersections, drivers obeying the traffic laws, and not jaywalking. Besides, the pitfalls of a silent car aren't just for blind people - I've had idiots step out in front of me in the grocery store parking lot because they didn't bother to look and couldn't hear me.
[/b]

um, so the issue sounds like blind people crossing streets where there aren't any traffic signals or things that would stop traffic and beep to let them know that the cross-traffic's light is red, eh?

harder nut to crack, but i think a lot of folks would let go of the trees they're hugging if we deliberately made our cars noisier all the time they're running down the street. maybe a dash-mounted button for the driver to signal to the blind people to "don't cross now..."? well, that's rude, too! maybe if the driver stopped.... well, that won't work because the pedestrian REALLY WON'T hear anything then!!!! hmmmmmm....


but the part that bugs me, as a driver of a Prius, is how to back out safely from a parking lot space when you can't see a durned thing on either side because of the behemoth truck, van, suv or whatevers that are parked on both sides!!!!

i'm planning to add a beeper and flashing white lights to the bumper that only operate in reverse. drivers and pedestrians would have a better chance of knowing my intentions of backing out, and i'd feel lots safer.

i'll let you know how it goes....


oh, and i added side-marker directionals to my '04..... are you listening, toyota? see my site at http://www.plusaf.com/prius/prius.htm and in living YouTube, too!

+af

[Stringmike]

Perhaps the solution would be to have blind persons wear hats with strobe lights so they are more readily visible. Then we can just blow our horns for them!

Mike

(Many years ago, this was tried in Britain for policeman on traffic duty. The problem was traffic came to a halt because drivers were too busy laughing to drive. Try to imagine a bobby's helmet with a flashing light and you'll see what I mean).

[Rest]

The first time I heard about this issue on my local TV news I couldn't believe it. While the Prius is quiet in electric mode, it certainly is not dead silent. Funny you don't hear anything about the blind complaining about bicyclists or joggers on the road.

[abq sfr]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(plusaf @ Oct 8 2007, 11:44 PM) [snapback]522999[/snapback]</div>

but the part that bugs me, as a driver of a Prius, is how to back out safely from a parking lot space when you can't see a durned thing on either side because of the behemoth truck, van, suv or whatevers that are parked on both sides!!!!

[/b]

In that situation I rely greatly on the back-up camera. It has really wide vision (seems like 180 degrees but probably not). Just back up real slowly while looking at the camera (if you have one). By the time you are out enough to see both directions, it should be enough for anybody coming to see you too.

[Seagull6]

The problem isn't just Prii and blind people. I have driven through parking lots in the electric mode and people have walked right in front of me not realizing I was there because the car is so quiet and also, because they weren't aware of their surroundings or paying attention. And they weren't listening to iPods or talking on their cell phones! I have experienced the same problem riding my bike - because a bike is so quiet people don't know I am there. I usually announce myself by saying "Passing on your left" three times, each time successively louder. Even then some people are startled by my passing.

In the Prius when this happens I hate to sound my horn, but it would be nice if we had something less obnoxious, akin to a bicycle bell, that lets people know we are there without alarming them. Maybe a little button on the stearing wheel that under the left thumb that makes a little ringing noise.