The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is proposing that hybrid and electric cars meet minimum sound standards, with the goal of improving safety for pedestrians and bicyclists by increasing their awareness of approaching vehicles. This may also reduce the number of collisions between electric and hybrid vehicles and wildlife like deer.
Electric and hybrid vehicles are much quieter than traditional vehicles at low speeds when these vehicles are not running on gas or diesel powered engines. This aspect of these vehicles increases danger to pedestrians, bicyclists, skateboarders, and others because it is very difficult to hear these vehicles approaching. NHTSA is proposing that manufacturers be required to design their vehicles to include engine sound that would be detectible when the vehicle is traveling under 18 MPH.
Brett Murphy attorneys have handled many cases involving cars and pedestrians; see our Pedestrian Accident Results page for details. To read about how our lawyers have managed bicycle accident cases, please go to our Bicycle Accident Results page.
NHTSA has estimated that if the proposed sound standards are implemented, there would be 2,800 few pedestrian and bicyclist injuries over the life of each model year of hybrid cars, trucks, and vans. We hope that this safety improvement is adopted quickly, especially as summer comes on and there is an increase in pedestrians, bicyclers, skateboarders, and others who are uniquely vulnerable to injury in collisions with vehicles.
If you have been injured in an accident and would like to learn more about your rights and options, call the attorneys at Brett Murphy today. You can reach us at 1-800-925-1875 or can complete our contact form to receive an immediate response.