Noisy Stealth mode

[sdsteve]

When backing out of a spot or when going slowly through a parking lot, the car is essentially silent running (stealthy as it were). The problem is there are plenty of dumb-ass pedestrians who don't look where they are going and don't look that vehicles are moving - they rely on audio cues to know when to stop walking in front of you.

So, I have an idea for a mod - I just don't know if it already exists or how to design it:

When the gas-engine is not running, and the car is going less than 20 MPH, an audio sound is emitted to the OUTSIDE of the car to indicate that it is running. Ideally, the sound should have some various sounds, from the mundane "beep beep beep" to something that sounds like a racecar. This should give enough indication to pedestrians that the car is indeed moving and to stop walking.

Any ideas if this exists already or how to build it?
Other comments?

[aaf709]

Godiva has posted a "How To" on connecting a buzzer which can be heard outside when backing up. J.C. Whitney, for example, sells a variety of types. One even says, in English or Spanish, "This car is backing up!" If you want it to operate when the Prius is going in either direction it might be better to install a switch.

[MikeSF]

Yeah, there exists a backup mod, unsure about a foward one.. personally I wouldn't do it for 2 reasons...

1) if pedestrians are going to hap hazardly walk into a street.. where cars are... then they deserve any damage they substain regardless if they "hear" a car or not. I mean come on, Mom & Dad taught you this one early on "Look both ways before crossing the street!"

2) I think cell phones are a much more larger reason for the "pedestrians don't pay attention" mentality, and I doubt anything other than a high dB horn could get them to look up from that imaginary place they all seem to be staring at while talking on a cell phone. So again, they deserve any pain that comes to them

Something you could possibly do, since you do live in San Diego, just crack the windows a bit and have the radio playing, that should be more than sufficient as far as a warning.

[berylrb]

you could have ringtones like from "The Fast and Furious"

MIkeSF, I thought about that too, and the last time, just before the person hit my car, I realized that I'd still probably be sued, so I blew the horn, scared the beejeebies out of them, but I was sitting stark still, what could I do? I could see teenagers making a game out of it 10 points if they ____ (you fill in the blank)

I have a feeling that like the pedestrian cross walk law the car is still at fault until the pedestrian is completely out of the road, assuming an uncontrolled intersection not jaywalking, eh?

b

[sdsteve]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(berylrb @ May 22 2006, 09:24 AM) [snapback]259245[/snapback]</div>

you could have ringtones like from "The Fast and Furious"

MIkeSF, I thought about that too, and the last time, just before the person hit my car, I realized that I'd still probably be sued, so I blew the horn, scared the beejeebies out of them, but I was sitting stark still, what could I do? I could see teenagers making a game out of it 10 points if they ____ (you fill in the blank)

I have a feeling that like the pedestrian cross walk law the car is still at fault until the pedestrian is completely out of the road, assuming an uncontrolled intersection not jaywalking, eh?

b
[/b]

So far I've been resorting to the radio trick, but it does rain sometimes here

berylrb - I think you are right, which is kinda what I was getting at... even if they step out in front of the car (or behind if backing out of a spot), you would still be at fault for insurance. Besided, I'd prefer not to hit/hurt somebody if I can avoid it. Would be great if the sound effect system can sound like "vroom vroom" or tires squeeling. Make my little prius sound intimidating...

Steve

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ May 22 2006, 08:41 AM) [snapback]259221[/snapback]</div>

Godiva has posted a "How To" on connecting a buzzer which can be heard outside when backing up. J.C. Whitney, for example, sells a variety of types. One even says, in English or Spanish, "This car is backing up!" If you want it to operate when the Prius is going in either direction it might be better to install a switch.
[/b]

Kinda what I was getting at, but would want it wired (hopefully easily) when the car is moving at a slow speed with the gas-engine turned off. So it would have to be wired to more than the back-up-lights.

Has to be slow speed so when you are coasting on the freeway it doesn't go off!!

[Salsawonder]

I'm thinking of mounting a cool bicycle horn on it somewhere.....you know that old fashion double honking sound!?

[8AA]

My selection would be something someone suggested a while ago; the sound of the Jetson's car.

[ilusnforc]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MikeSF @ May 22 2006, 10:00 AM) [snapback]259230[/snapback]</div>

I think cell phones are a much more larger reason for the "pedestrians don't pay attention"
[/b]

Haha!! That reminds me, I almost ran over a pedestrian in a parking lot last night. Some girl came walking out from between two cars right into the isle as I was cruising in "stealth mode" in a parking lot and she didn't even bother to look until after she was in front of me and I made a quick stop and she didn't even bother to jump or move faster or anything at all even though she almost got run over all because she was talking on her cell phone. They had just built a new middle school in the neighborhood I used to live in and I would see kids walking home from school in the afternoon talking on their cell phones... They're just as bad if not worse than people driving and talking on a cell phone. I saw kids walk out into the street right in front of me because they didn't bother to look or pay any attention to traffic because they were talking on their cell phones. Crazy people never learn... If I didn't want to scratch my new Prius I would feel like running them down...

[Somechic]

I have experienced the opposite happening in parking lots around here. Most drivers speed through lots -- regardless of a pedestrian having the right of way, i.e. in a crosswalk. I find it makes most pedestrians more aware of cars in parking lots.

At my gym, the finally installed speed bumps in the parking lot. I witnessed quite a few near-misses prior to the speed bumps being added.

Of course, every now and then, I get a "surprised" look from someone who noticed my car is directly behind them.

[Begreen]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(8AA @ May 22 2006, 02:46 PM) [snapback]259397[/snapback]</div>

My selection would be something someone suggested a while ago; the sound of the Jetson's car. [/b]

I prefer to have the opening sound of Jaws. Maybe add a little voice saying "land shark". Yeah that;s the ticket. I could even paint the car two-toned to look more shark like.