Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act Signed into Law

The number of electric and hybrid electric vehicles is increasing rapidly. While having more of these vehicles on the road is good for the environment, this increase is potentially dangerous for pedestrians with limited or no vision.  Because these cars operate so quietly, particularly at low speeds, they are involved in more accidents with pedestrians and cyclists who can’t hear the vehicle coming. This problem is even bigger for those with visual impairments, who rely on sounds for guidance.

As a result, Congress passed the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act, which President Obama signed into law in early 2011. The law directs the Department of Transportation to study and establish a motor vehicle safety standard that provides for a means of alerting those pedestrians who are blind or have visual impairments, of motor vehicle operation for otherwise silent vehicles, such as hybrids. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is already at work testing synthetic sounds, to find the right balance between ensuring pedestrian safety and enhancing quieter roads.