Plan would make hybrids noisy to protect blind »
Posted by: TechnologyExpert 4 months, 3 weeks agoA bill intended to protect blind people and other pedestrians from the dangers posed by quiet cars will be introduced Wednesday in Congress.
Read Full Story at msnbc.msn.com
Join the Discussion 
+ Add Comment
Comments So Far: 61
-
0%
joeblowe4 months, 3 weeks ago
Aw - COME ON! Jesus Haephestus Christ. Now, the Absolutely Politically Correct idiots are trying to implement something to make cars NOISIER? What a bunch of knuckleheads. The government is now undertaking to compel the entire automobile industry - already having problems - to make care NOISIER? To solve a problem that apparently doesn't even really exist? On behalf of a VERY small percentage of voters? With MY money? SONOFABITCH! This is starting to REALLY pi*s me off! I'm writing my elected representative to make fun of them. Again.
Reply-
0%
Beau78904 months, 3 weeks ago
I don't really believe it's the politically correct idiots, joe. (Yes, the National Federation for the Blind is pushing for the legislation, but what would you expect from an organization whose sole purpose is to serve as advocates for teh blind?)
Since no instances of blind people being hurt by hybrids have been recorded, since the blind usually know when not to step off curbs and into traffic, and since the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is "eager to address the issue," I'm guessing auto manufacturers are behind this because it's costly to design new hybrids and the bill will make hybrid cars less pleasant to drive.
Reply-
0%
joeblowe4 months, 3 weeks ago
You may have a point. Of course, it's expensive to design ANY new car. The thing about hybrids is, THEY ARE SELLING. So, at least they can recoup their development costs if they can actually SELL the things. Big Auto is probably hoping for a government subsidy (another one) to put a noise maker on the cars.
Oh -- I suspect that "eager to address the issue" actually means, "screw you - we aren't doing it, but we'll smile to your face and PRETEND we care."
Reply
-
-
-
-
0%
saintetienne4 months, 3 weeks ago
"This is mind boggling stupid."
Your tax dollars at work.
Hey, I know! Let's elect either Hillary or Obama so that we can have our taxes raised even further to fund useless, go-nowhere programs that keep people employed!
It's as if there's a committee that sits around and thinks up new committees to invent. Ah well, when the money's pouring in and there's no accountability - why not?
Reply -
0%
browntiger4 months, 3 weeks ago
I don't think it is all that bad, idea of add some type of wireless emitter to the car, to broadcast signal that car is coming. This could be used for other purposes notify other drivers about possibility of collision. The cost increase could be minimal. And it could be built as an extension to ODB wireless.
Obviously idea of making cars noisier => pure stupidity. We don't need anymore noise pollution. Simple wireless transmitter & receiver would be sufficient.
Reply
-
-
0%
jumpmaster4 months, 3 weeks ago
Doesn't anyone care about the blind people's dogs?
Where are PETA and the ASPCA when you need them?
Reply -
0%
bill29364 months, 3 weeks ago
Lets see, the reason for the Hybrid cars were to reduce pollution. But they are quiet. So to fix that they want them noisier. Thus adding to the 'noise pollution'. Is that right?
Reply -
-
-
0%
saintetienne4 months, 3 weeks ago
globalwarmer SHUUSH! HOW DARE YOU?! How DARE you ask ANY CITIZEN to take responsibility for their actions, when there's a big government available to do it for them?
It's people like you who bring about freedom, democracies and capitalism! SHAME on you for your dissent! You should be jailed!
Reply
-
-
0%
DropkickaLib4 months, 2 weeks ago
If the car was a New York City cab, you could hear the Pakistani music from blocks away.
Reply
-
-
0%
Petom14 months, 3 weeks ago
Please tell me that this article was meant to be filed under "Humor".
Reply -
0%
quackpot4 months, 3 weeks ago
A real problem, perhaps, but why legislate the worst solution possible???
Heaven forbid anything creative...Perhaps a magnetometer that blind people could use to detect the presence of an oncoming hunk of metal?
Or perhaps each car should come with a politician - lots of useless noise combined with plenty hot air to power the air-bag inflation system.
Reply-
0%
wtagg4 months, 3 weeks ago
"Or perhaps each car should come with a politician - lots of useless noise combined with plenty hot air to power the air-bag inflation system."
You may have solved the energy problem.
Reply -
0%
mrbs4 months, 2 weeks ago
Perhaps a magnetometer that blind people could use to detect the presence of an oncoming hunk of metal?
not enough metal in a hybrid
Reply
-
-
0%
Charlson4 months, 3 weeks ago
A low, hum that has a harmonious resonance? I could live with that. Even better, some blind folks could also.
Reply -
0%
DaneL4 months, 3 weeks ago
maybe flashing lights should be installed for the deaf!It's a wonder how I lived this long without all the government protection.
Reply -
0%
Wolfie20074 months, 3 weeks ago
This is just a reminder to remember to say a prayer for the starving children of the world every time you start your hybrid.
Reply -
0%
globalwarmer4 months, 3 weeks ago
If you stand on a sidewalk with cars cruising by at 25 mph, you'll notice they make more wind noise than engine sounds unless the car is accelerating or has a ridiculous exhaust. I would imagine a blind person with enhanced hearing would pick up on that. Also the driver has this neat little gadget on the steering wheel called a horn and if all else fails the driver could actually apply the brakes.
Reply-
0%
saintetienne4 months, 3 weeks ago
globalwarmer, stop. Please desist right now. We will soon have a government that controls our every action, provides for us and looks after our every need. What you're suggesting is that an individual have a free will and be able to think for himself, and we will not have it. Please donate all of your money to the Democratic party, vote Hillary or Obama, and then sit back and have your life controlled. There is no other way.
Reply-
0%
wtagg4 months, 3 weeks ago
In principle, I agree that government has way too much influence and that is speaking toward both parties. What I don't understand about your comment is that you believe only one party does this.
I have to take my shoes off in an airport. Why? The irony is that I have to take off my shoes, but I can get by this security point with an eTicket that I printed out on my inkjet. And who came up with this well-thought out security plan? They are both culpable in intruding unnecessarily into our lives.
Voting for Obama, Hillary, or McCain will only increase the likelihood of larger and larger government. Please do not leave the Republican candidate out of your assertion.
The administration and congress during the 2001-2006 stretch did a pretty good job on increasing their influence, increasing the size of government, and spending our tax dollars.
Please give them the credit they are due.
Reply
-
-
-
0%
jdhatl4 months, 2 weeks ago
Very silly proposal. I'm a liberal but I don't care for the whole PC thing, it's a dangerous game, and it just fuels the right. It helped get us in the mess we are in today.
Reply -
0%
vvv63vvv4 months, 2 weeks ago
this is a great idea and not just for the blind
sidestreets with kids playing, joggers, cyclists, people at the curb of their house for mail/trash, dogs, cats, deer and probabally a lot more
people are accustomed to primarily listening then looking if they hear something
it's not rocket science to add something that makes a little noise and cars get revamped every year anyways so adding this won't take many of your precious and cherished pennies for development
and if you require church-like silence at all times try banning subwoofers instead of crying about this
Reply -
0%
lovemylibs4 months, 2 weeks ago
I've heard stories of evil auto workers putting loose ball bearings and coins in cars on the assembly line to cause infernal, mysterious rackets. Now they can start charging for this option.
Reply -
0%
4mogger4 months, 2 weeks ago
It isn't just the blind you know. Just imagine all of the poor dogs snoozing near the rural driveways just minding their own business and waiting for a car to chase. All of the sudden, WHAM!!! Out of nowhere one of those evil, stealthy hybrids cleans his clock! Just say no to the danger lurking inside the mild mannered green machines. Quiet is BAD! Noise is good!
I am proud to say that my Hummer is "sight impaired" and "snoozing K-9" friendly. Plus I removed the catalytic converter and am running straight exhaust so I figure the safe zone for the blind extends at least 100 meters or so.
Reply -
Submitted By:
TechnologyExpert
I am Editor-in-Chief at Alice Hill's RealTechNews (http://www.realtechnews.com). I also have my own blog (Tech-Ex) at http://TechnologyExpert.Blogspot.com. Finally ...
Also submitted:
- 1.0 - Dems nervous over Invesco risks
- 1.0 - Online Photo, Email Save Baby's Life
- 1.0 - NVISION 08 Video Highlights
- 1.0 - CA Same-sex marriage ban behind in latest poll
Related Articles:
Why not submit a story?
Also Propping This Article
coreyspring
capn_caveman
MidnightPrism
pawfoots- Helixbuilder
ciera-marie
berkeley
Eagle_Eye
dandt1612
joeblowe
Groups Watching This
No groups are watching this story. Why not share it with your group?
