Regulators Delay Vision Impaired Pedestrian Safety Over Noise Concerns

U.S. regulators are delaying rules that would require electric and hybrid cars to alert sight-impaired pedestrians and bicyclists until at least mid-March, according to a recent government filing.

The decision is the latest setback for a government plan that has been in the works since 2013 to require "quiet cars" -- vehicles that operate at low speeds without an internal combustion engine running -- to add new audio alerts at low speeds.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates the odds of a hybrid vehicle being involved in a pedestrian crash are 19 percent higher compared with a traditional gas-powered vehicle.

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MDarringer - 11/25/2015 9:13:33 AM

0 Boost

Can we have customizable tones? I'm thinking flatulence would be great for Tesla.

Dexter1 - 11/26/2015 11:40:00 AM

+1 Boost

Visually impaired pedestrians, yes—I understand the concern. But cyclists? Most bike with headphones on anyway, so take them out of the legislative mix. It doesn't apply.