WASHINGTON - A bipartisan amendment introduced by U.S. Rep. Edolphus “Ed” Towns (D-NY) and Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL), that was reported out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee today, will require new electric and hybrid vehicles to provide an alert sound to enable pedestrians to discern vehicle presence, direction, location and operation.  Rep. Towns’ amendment to the Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 2010 helps to protect the blind and other pedestrians from injury or death as a result of silent vehicle technology and builds on the research conducted by the  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Rep. Towns’ amendment is part of the larger Motor Vehicle Safety Act, which establishes new automobile safety standards and makes motor vehicle information more transparent.

As mandated by the Pedestrian Safety Act which Rep. Towns introduced last year, NHTSA conducted a study on how best to protect the blind and other pedestrians from being injured or killed by vehicles using hybrid, electric, and other silent engine technologies. NHTSA’s study revealed that hybrid cars struck pedestrians more frequently than other vehicles when hybrids were travelling at low speeds. Towns’ amendment addresses a longstanding issue regarding the level of sound hybrid cars generate, or the absence of it.  

“As the popularity of hybrid and green cars continues to grow, the audibility of these vehicles at low speeds poses serious safety concerns,” said Rep. Towns. “These cars are a great innovation in reducing greenhouse gases, and with the appropriate, minimum sound standards, they do not have to compromise any pedestrian’s ability to navigate street traffic.”

Hybrid car noise became as an issue when mass production of these cars began in 2000. The National Federation of the Blind and the American Council of the Blind have repeatedly raised concerns about hybrid or electric engine technology because blind pedestrians rely on their hearing to assess the speed and direction of traffic.  But, the problem is not just a concern for blind people. Sighted pedestrians, including bicyclists, elderly, wheel-chair-bound, runners and small children also use engine sounds to navigate traffic.  The current quiet car technology makes it impossible for many pedestrians to detect approaching vehicles. Towns’ amendment aims to correct that problem.

Hybrids and electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular around the world.  Since 2000, the number of hybrids on the road has increased to more than 1.6 million. The registration of hybrid cars, which are marketed for having a particularly silent ride, rose 38% in 2007 with the New York metro market being the third fastest growing market in the country.

Towns concluded, “With a national safety sound standard that makes an approaching car detectable, we achieve a mutually beneficial solution for the environment, automakers and pedestrians.”

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