Quiet hybrids may be danger to visually impaired

Advocates want sound requirements for cars in order to prevent injuries. David Shepardson / Detroit News Washington Bureau WASHINGTON -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will convene a daylong public meeting Monday to debate how to address concerns about the dangers the growing number of quiet-running hybrid vehicles and future electric cars present to visually impaired and blind pedestrians. Bills have been introduced in Congress and in state legislatures in New York, Arizona, Hawaii and Virginia to set minimum sound levels to alert visually-impaired pedestrians when hybrids are running on electric power only. At low speeds, particularly as hybrids near intersections, the traditional engine shuts off leaving the virtually silent electric motor running. The concern comes as hybrid vehicle sales continue to... [read full story]