<< TONS OF TONES ~ MAIN ~ SHY PETE >>
UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED
Near-silent hybrid vehicles - one of them almost killed Michael Stipe - are a threat to the blind, among others:
The National Federation of the Blind said hybrid cars pose a risk to the blind, children, the elderly, cyclists and distracted
pedestrians.The group said it conducted tests with blind people.
They did? Seems a little drastic.
(Via ilibcc)
There’s an easy solution for this horrible dilema: In Car Entertainment. With external speakers.
Posted by The_Real_JeffS on 2007 02 15 at 11:48 AM • permalinkhttp://www.cafepress.com/tshirtoffensive.16666943
Posted by Some0Seppo on 2007 02 15 at 12:01 PM • permalinkWith sincere apologies to ZZ Top
“Then they had us up against the wall
Hey it’s only a hybrid now y’all
And there ain’t no cause for alarm
We ain’t out to do nobody no harm
How could anyone be so unkind
To arrest a man for drivin’ over the blind”
With sincere apologies to ZZ TopPosted by joe bagadonuts on 2007 02 15 at 12:07 PM • permalinkA small price to pay. All involved are to be lauded.
Posted by Mystery Meat on 2007 02 15 at 12:43 PM • permalinkI know it’s just a wild & crazy idea, but how about fitting those vehicles with an pneumatic noisemaker of some kind, perhaps fitted with a toggle/switch/ button in reach of the operator, who may then use it on some non-specified way to make pedestrians aware of his approach?
Just spitballing of course.
Maybe they can outfit hybrids with backup warning systems like they do heavy equipment. They could have one loud, obnoxious noise for forward and another for reverse. In short order, the blind will wish they were deaf as well. As will we all.
Posted by Kyda Sylvester on 2007 02 15 at 01:08 PM • permalinkThe first real electric car, the GM EV-1, had very special tires to reduce rolling friction, and it really was very, very quiet.
It made about as much noise as two mountain bikes.
Posted by Harry Bergeron on 2007 02 15 at 01:38 PM • permalinkThe group said it conducted tests with blind people.
Hmmm. They tested the blind with regards to hybrid cars? This makes me wonder if they’d get any different a result if they tested them with semi tractor trailers.
“Ok, just stand there. Right. The test is about to begin. Let her rip Bo!”
I can’t see there’d be any difference.
Posted by wronwright on 2007 02 15 at 02:05 PM • permalinkThis just in. Reuters reports the results of the latest test carried out by Friends of the Guzzlers (FOG), an organization dedicated to the survival of the threatened gas engine. In a double-blind test, in which 10,000 blind subjects participated, half were exposed to hybrid cars and half were exposed to gas engine cars, both coming from behind without warning. The results of the experiment show that blind people exposed to hybrid cars coming from behind without warning were at an increased risk of death. All of those exposed to hybrid cars coming from behind died on the spot, while only one of those exposed to gas cars coming from behind without warning died. Scientists are investigating why the gas engine stopped before hitting that blind man. The driver said, “I’m so accustomed to blind people getting out of the way upon hearing the noise of my engine that I didn’t know what to do.”
As a result of this test, FOG is calling for an immediate ban on all hybrid cars and on one gas car with a moronic driver.
Posted by ElectronPower on 2007 02 15 at 03:57 PM • permalinkI propose that all electric cars and hybrids must be preceded by a team of men blowing horns and waving flags.
Posted by Rob Crawford on 2007 02 15 at 04:05 PM • permalinkkiwinews
I second the motion, but only if it makes a selection of comedy noises.
A fleet of cars going “wukkawukkawuuka” or “aaaarrrrghhhh” would be a great start to the morning commute. Add a couple of laugh tracks for the buses and bobs your unkle.Posted by thefrollickingmole on 2007 02 15 at 06:13 PM • permalinkAround here we have big problems with wild deer in the roadway. Some people put these on their bumper, to warn the deer.
Maybe they would work for blind people, who have better than average hearing.
And, don’t ask me how a deer knows the ultrasonic whistle is meant for him! You’d think if they were that smart they would know enough to stay out of the road.
Blind people were always speed-bumps on the road to Enviro-Success.
Posted by AlburyShifton on 2007 02 15 at 07:22 PM • permalinkThe EV-1 actually did have an audible backup signal.
Posted by Warmongering Lunatic on 2007 02 15 at 08:59 PM • permalink“The group said it conducted tests with blind people”.
To see how far they bounced?
Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2007 02 15 at 09:06 PM • permalinkDo you get further carbon offsets with each kill?
Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 02 15 at 09:08 PM • permalinkThe group said it conducted tests with blind people.
Zis exhibit iz clozed.
/simpsonsPosted by andycanuck on 2007 02 15 at 10:46 PM • permalinkI see a market for hybrid engine tones, like ringtones.
You download the one you want. The possibilities are endless.
O/T I was at a conference presentation a while back when a phone went off. This guy’s tone was a loud Ocker voice saying: ‘Answer the f**kin’ PHONE, you idiot!...Answer the f**kin’ PHONE, you idiot!...
Rob
Are you referring to the Locomotives on Highway Act 1861?Cheers
Posted by J.M. Heinrichs on 2007 02 16 at 12:16 AM • permalinkOz GM Holden Commodore to be exported as US Pontiac G8.
Applying the “two bird with one stone” rule…
1. Pick up blind person and strap to roof of hybrid using elastic tie-downs.
2. Drive on to original destination.
3. Observe how sound of blind person shrieking “Let me go!”, “Help!”, “Are you insane?!” etc serves to warn other tardy pedestrians to keep out of the way.
It may also be possible to devise a device to harness the energy generated by the flailing arms and legs of your captive to recharge the car’s battery.
Just don’t try this method with deaf mutes though.
And my Zen thought for the day: If a hybrid car hits a mime in a forest, did it make a sound?
I can feel a “blindaid” concert coming on. Where are you Sir Bob?
Posted by surfmaster on 2007 02 16 at 07:48 AM • permalinkThe group said it conducted tests with blind people.
What kind of wierdos let blind people drive cars?
Posted by mr creosote on 2007 02 16 at 08:07 AM • permalinkI’m not an expert on hybrid cars but don’t they have a thingy in the middle of the steering wheel and when you press it the car makes a noise?
Posted by jonnyswell on 2007 02 18 at 08:54 PM • permalink
Page 1 of 1 pages
Members:
Login | Register
| Member List
Oh dear
I had visions of blind people being put in the middle of the road with hybrids coming at them
Now it is not only testing with animals that’s bad, but testing with the blind as well