NHTSA Proposes Minimum Sound Standard Requirements for Hybrid, Electric Cars to Curb Pedestrian Accidents

Since the advent of hybrid and electric cars, disputes regarding their hushed sound were raised since it was said to increase the risk of pedestrian accidents.

Consequently, in a recent effort of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to totally curb or at least reduce the number of pedestrian accidents, it proposed to set minimum sound standards for hybrid and electric cars.

The said proposal is in compliance with the bipartisan Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2010 (PSEA). Said act requires all hybrids and electric cars to meet minimum sound requirements so that pedestrians would be able to notice immediately whenever they are approaching.

Hybrid and electric cars obviously do not rely on traditional gas or diesel-powered engines at low speeds, making them much quieter. Therefore, their approach is often unnoticeable.

In a statement released by the NHTSA’s Administrator, David Strickland, he claimed that the said proposal would allow auto-makers the flexibility to design various sounds for different vehicle makes and models while still giving a chance for pedestrians, bicyclists as well as the visually impaired to detect and recognize an approaching vehicle.

Meanwhile, the administration expects to reduce pedestrian accidents by 2,800 cases once the proposal gets approved.

At present, the proposal is set to be published by the Federal Register to give the public 60 days to provide feedbacks regarding the said action.

As it is, accidents almost always happen unpredictably. If simply sleeping can kill you, how much more if you are walking down the road with fast-moving vehicles all around? Unfortunately, anyone who’s crossing the road can fall victim to pedestrian accidents. Therefore, people should be extra vigilant and if possible, watch their every move, advised by a Los Angeles pedestrian accident lawyer.