The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has just announced its "Quiet Car" rule to prevent pedestrian injuries in the US. Electric and hybrid cars are now required to make noise to ensure the safety of pedestrians.
The Quiet Car Rule
Based on the quiet car rule, the ones affected are hybrid and electric light vehicles with four wheels. Particularly, those with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less. NHTSA explained that these cars are all required to make audible noises when they are traveling in reverse or forward.
This will be applicable at a travel speed of about 19 miles per hour. The speed is specifically significant. Electric vehicles tend to travel really quiet at a slow speed. This is not the case when the car is traveling so fast.
Hence, the new rule does not apply to electric and hybrid vehicles with speed more than the figure mentioned above.
Protecting Pedestrians
The NHTSA's main concern is protecting pedestrians from possible dangers on the road. This will be helpful to all pedestrians including those who are blind and have low vision. NHTSA's Administrator Dr. Mark Rosekind said that pedestrian fatalities are actually on the rise.
There are around 2,400 pedestrian injuries per year in the US. The government deemed it important to address this issue. Hybrid and electrical cars pose a risk to the safety of pedestrians. This new rule will reduce the said risk.
Pedestrians will be able to use both their sense of sight and hearing. US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has acknowledged this.
About Six Years In The Making
According to CNET, this new rule goes way back in 2010. Apparently, the US Congress had passed the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act. The NHTS was given until January 2014 to finalize a mandate for electric vehicles noisemakers. However, the deadline was moved several times.
Automakers will have to equip their hybrid and electric vehicles with sounds until Sept. 1, 2019. It should meet the federal safety standard. Furthermore, half of the new vehicles should be in compliance one year before the final deadline.
