I recently took my 84 year old grandparents for a little ride around and kept my FEH in EV mode as much as possible (as usual). My grandfather built airplane engines in his day and really knows his way around any engine but this blew his mind. He couldn't believe he was actually riding in an electric car. He was very proud of me that I had such a technological vehicle and environmentally friendly vehicle.

 

No.

The American Blind Association has tried the last two years at least to get every hybrid equiped with something to let them know the vehicle is there. They did a press event and had a Prius sneak up on the Journalists to get sympathy.

It was sensationalized for all of 5 minutes, but then everyone just moved on to other things, and the Blind Association got no where with anyone in the Auto Industry or with was able to come up with any lawsuit yet, nor were they able to drum up any support from the media or the public.

I only know it's the last two years since that's how long I've been around here, they've probably been trying longer than that.

 

I think the first cars in NYNY had to have someone walk in front of them saying something like that! (Except for sillent).

 

I was thinking a recording of a barking Rottweiler might do the trick. Just press a button for a bark and a laugh....

 

So far, silent EV mode has only been possible at slow speeds. Speeds about the same as what is possible for bicycles. Are blind people lobbying for mandatory noise makers on all bicycles? I feel now, as always, it is the driver's responsibility to look out, and anticipate pedestrians. If a pedestrian jumps out in front of you and you can't stop, the stealth mode was not a factor. This person would have jumped in front of any car, because they were a careless person. I am not worried in the slightest about any "silent mode" lawsuit. Any such attempt would be laughed out of town.

 

Maybe your town. But, in others, arguments would be heard that the vehicle is unusual in its steathyness, and a victim would not expect the vehicle to move without noise. Especially the Escape and Mariners that are hard to tell from their conventional couterparts.

 

I'm not saying that people wouldn't try a lawsuit, of course they would.
But there's no chance in hell of them winning.

Judge:
"Madam, you walking into a roadway where it is customary for motor vehicles to travel, without looking closely, and getting hit, constitutes careless and reckless behavior on your part, not the driver of the hybrid. You are supposed to look for vehicles in your path, not only listen for them. Case dismissed."

 

Actually I read an article somewhere, where they were discussing passing laws requiring vehicles to make a certain amount of noise for "safety reasons"... yeah... thats right... for years the cars were too noisy and people wanted to be shielded from traffic noise... now they want them noisier...

OF course the whole thing might have been an urban legend.

 

Who would have thought that when you move up in class you get fewer services??

 

Yeah i love this about hybrids! I really hope they don't mandate artificial noisemakers for EV mode. Yesterday my neighbor (good friend) was walking down my street and i snuck up behind in (maintained radio silence ), and honked the horn. Needless to say it woke him up! This is just payback for when he reves-up his hemi everyday infront of my house!