Hybrids are dangerous

[Silver Ghia]

In todays Herald-Sun:

Voices raised over silent cars

Japan's hybrid cars have been called dangerous, prompting a government review on whether to add a noise-making device.
The petrol/electric vehicles, now the country's top sellers, get along almost silent when switched from fuel to battery.
"We have received opinions from users and vision-impaired people that they feel hybrid vehicles are dangerous," a transport official said.

Just what I though after being 'surprised' by a Prius in our carpark at work.
However I hope they dont put on those irritating "beep-beep-beep" devices they have on trucks and vans when in reverse.

[BPXR6T]

Maybe a card and a clothes peg

[uranium_death]

Originally Posted by BPXR6T

Maybe a card and a clothes peg

Shazam!

But a good point.

Just put in the gearbox from our VT. That will certainly let peopel know you're nearby.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by uranium_death

Shazam!

But a good point.

Just put in the gearbox from our VT. That will certainly let peopel know you're nearby.

[AWD Chaser]

old argument... already been in the news before...

[Fairlane]

Maybe the hybird drivers should be listening to some of the doof/doof. Not fear of getting run over if you can hear the boot rattling from a mile away.

[GTpilot]

My old boss had one, used to freak me out watching it silently drive out of the car park. Was just not right.

[Suvo]

Had a Prius for a 24hr test drive, they are quite weird to drive there is no engine noise and it starts moving, shove the boot down then the engine starts. I do think they need something, almost got hit by it when we had it, too used to the sound of a petrol engine at least idling.

[sgt_doofey]

Just option it with a cat bell.

[Mickxr8]

the mr whippy van tune playing through p/a speakers ? :

[smacxr8]

Or maybe every prius sold comes with a free megaphone so the driver can hold it out the window and warn other motorists and pedestrians with announcements like..."Excuse me, planet saving commuter coming through!"

[GeoNazi]

Or free with every car, "sounds from south park"

using the sounds of the "smug" drivers from the hybrid episode

[flappist]

Well e-bay is full of kitsch electronic gizmos that emulate turbo and V8 noise.

How about legislation that all hybrids must be fitted with both of these things as well as a 100db doof doof and flashing pink neons just to warn pedestrians and other drivers that a naive eco-zealot (or a P plater in a hyundai excel) is close by.

Safety, only safety......for the kids...always for the kids...

[Falcon Coupe]

All hybrids need a cowbell, or More Cowbell to be precise.

[Bent8]

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

All hybrids need a cowbell, or More Cowbell to be precise.

Haha, that's a classic, was just watching that the other day from Will's "Best of SNL Collection".

In regards to these hybrids, apart from their excellent fuel mileage, what else are they good for?....maybe they should be taken off the roads altogether!

[onfire]

Originally Posted by Bent8

Haha, that's a classic, was just watching that the other day from Will's "Best of SNL Collection".

In regards to these hybrids, apart from their excellent fuel mileage, what else are they good for?....maybe they should be taken off the roads altogether!

They give people a false sense of superiority. What else do you need?

[Bent8]

Originally Posted by onfire

They give people a false sense of superiority. What else do you need?

Good point!

[FreddyDUZ747]

Maybe a exhaust note from the Jetsons or similar.

[TUF_302]

Originally Posted by gilmore

Maybe a exhaust note from the Jetsons or similar.

Now that would get you looking lol!

[sgt_doofey]

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

All hybrids need a cowbell, or More Cowbell to be precise.

I was thinking about the cow bell from the Top Gear African Challenge myself, but that will do.

[Burnout]

Each if you are missing the point - the issue is these vehicles are a problem for the vision impaired. Making them noisy is not in my humble view going to assist the vision impaired or reduce noise pollution.

Best to have the driver set fire to his 'Prius' as he drives off on each excursion; keeps the noise down, (initially anyway) and assists the vision impaired in sighting these ungainly vehicles.

[FGII-XR6]

Originally Posted by Burnedout

Each if you are missing the point - the issue is these vehicles are a problem for the vision impaired. Making them noisy is not in my humble view going to assist the vision impaired.

I think you are missing the point the reason they are claimed to be a danger to the visually impaired is that they are silent so they can't hear them coming. having them make a noise helps this problem ( but not a high level of noise just similar to a petrol powered shopping trolly like a toyota echo etc)

[xtremerus]

Originally Posted by au3xr6

I think you are missing the point the reason they are claimed to be a danger to the visually impaired is that they are silent so they can't hear them coming. having them make a noise helps this problem ( but not a high level of noise just similar to a petrol powered shopping trolly like a toyota echo etc)

I think the Prius on fire and chased by a Fire engine, will get they attention.

[Jandrew]

Originally Posted by xtremerus

I think the Prius on fire and chased by a Fire engine, will get they attention.

Haha on the fire note, they are a whole new worry when attacking them if they are on fire.. They should also have badging on the number plates like LPG cars so fire fighters know they are a hibrid (car badge may have melted off)

[snappy]

Well there trialling hybrid busses now in sydney. So this could spell disater silent ten tonne mass of steel with average braking .
I can just see it now blind guy standing at the bus stop does not even know its there waiting for him to board.

[burnz]

Originally Posted by gilmore

Maybe a exhaust note from the Jetsons or similar.

ha ha ha ha love it.
the sound of choise for the future tree hugger.