Noise needed for quiet cars

Electric vehicles and hybrids should be fitted with noise emission equipment to reduce danger levels for the blind and partially sighted, according to the European Blind Union (EBU). The EBU is calling on the EU to make noise generators compulsory for all electric and hybrid vehicles due to the obvious risks these pose to blind and partially sighted people. Hybrid vehicles generally run in electric mode when operating at lower speeds in the urban cycle and generate very little engine noise, while electric v
January 9, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
Electric vehicles and hybrids should be fitted with noise emission equipment to reduce danger levels for the blind and partially sighted, according to the European Blind Union (EBU). The EBU is calling on the 3287 EU to make noise generators compulsory for all electric and hybrid vehicles due to the obvious risks these pose to blind and partially sighted people. Hybrid vehicles generally run in electric mode when operating at lower speeds in the urban cycle and generate very little engine noise, while electric vehicles are almost always quiet in use. For blind and partially sighted people relying on hearing the sound of approaching vehicles, this poses a major traffic hazard. A study carried out in Japan did reveal worryingly high levels of traffic incidents involving blind and partially sighted people and low noise hybrid vehicles operating in urban areas.

There is legislation being set out in the EU but according to the EBU, progress is too slow while the fact that these systems can be turned off by the driver may make them useless in any case. In the mean-time, some 30 million blind and partially sighted people in Europe are at risk. And electric and hybrid vehicles also pose a hazard to other vulnerable road users too, with children and cyclists particularly at risk.

For more information on companies in this article

EU

Related Content

  • Road surface quality is vital to safety and policing - TISPOL 2015 conference
    January 18, 2016
    The state of Europe’s road surfaces “is absolutely vital” if TISPOL, the European Traffic Police Network, is going to achieve its target of halving road deaths across the continent by 2020 says AA president Edmund King Speaking at the 2015 TISPOL annual conference in Manchester, King warned that the deteriorating state of Europe’s road pavements has become “a serious problem” and that the number of potholes is now an important road safety issue for the enforcement community.
    Read More
  • Safety concerns over cyclists and pedestrian deaths
    February 3, 2020
    A report from the ETSC reveals the lack of progress in improving safety for cyclists and pedestrians across Europe.
    Read More
  • Developments in hybrid vehicles
    February 27, 2012
    There is an array of future vehicle solutions in development - Mike Woof reports. Ever since Henry Ford's Model T showed that the motor car could provide transport for ordinary people rather than being an exclusive toy of the rich, vehicle numbers have exploded. In every country around the world, vehicle ownership continues to grow.
    Read More
  • EU noise levels rising
    July 31, 2012
    The EU funded SILENCE project maps the transport causes and possible solutions for reducing noise, reports Alan Peterson With Europe's ever-increasing population growth, the issue of noise for its 100 million citizens is becoming a pressing problem. Over 25% are exposed to critical transport-related noise, according to research by the EU funded SILENCE project, which reported its findings in Germany in May. The purpose of SILENCE is to develop an integrated methodology and technology for the improved contro
    Read More

Highlighted Content