Reading this case, I must think of the saying "the blind leading the lame".
Because a blind person overruled the guidance of his guide dog, he put himself in danger by stepping out in front of an approacing car and even though there was no accident, because the driver managed to avoid the consequence of the blind person's stupid decision, still the lawmakers feel compelled to take action on said event. Why do I feel sad? BTW, I *do* hope that some blind and lawmakers do the right thing and also call for ramped up enforcement of already existing laws to reduce the excessive noise that a certain section of vehicles make, which will mask the small sounds of all traffic in a large area around them - I see that as a much bigger thread for a long list of reasons. I am talking in particular about unnecessary increase of noise because the owner likes the vehicle to make a different sound and more than the design of the vehicle. (muffler delete and even straight pipes) All of which are unnecessary, already regulated but almost never enforced and causing problems that continue to exist and affect not just blind people. Since they are now calling for legislation to be able to hear silent cars, they should also consider the masking effect of *loud* vehicles on all nearby normal car sounds - leading to the same effect that they try to avoid with this legislation, but affecting *all* cars. For the record - I still see the driver of the vehicle as the ultimate responsible person here, whether the vehicle makes noise or not, he/she is operating a potentially lethal weapon and must always keep an eye out for unexpected moves by other participants in traffic, such as pedestrians unexpectedly starting to cross the road. For example often a car stopped for a crosswalk is passed by other cars, which is illegal and certainly dangerous for the pedestrian in the crosswalk, whether blind or not. I still consider "distracted driving" the real menace, not the silent cars. The analogy would be to discharge a weapon without looking where you are aiming, because distracted driving is no different than distracted shooting. The main difference this law will create is that a blind person will at the last moment hear the silent car before it hit him/her, I do not think it will make much difference in actual numbers of crashes or casualties. Sorry if this sounds cynical. Since my comments are mostly OT, it may be best to not respond here. Cor van de Water Chief Scientist Proxim Wireless Corporation http://www.proxim.com Email: [email protected] Private: http://www.cvandewater.info Skype: cor_van_de_water Tel: +1 408 383 7626 -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of brucedp5 Sent: Tuesday, July 02, 2013 12:15 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [EVDL] EVLN: 'Noisy EV' campaign gets backing from the blind (video) MP supports Guide Dogs' call to keep pedestrians safe from silent menace http://www.hemeltoday.co.uk/news/local/noisy-campaign-gets-backing-from- the-blind-1-5199921 `Noisy' campaign gets backing from the blind 23/06/2013 [video flash] Blind and partially sighted people have put their weight behind a campaign calling for newly manufactured electric cars to generate a sound when driven. Among those backing the bid is Adeyfield householder Derek Batt, who is registered blind and uses guide dog Lucas to help him get about. The pair were almost hit by an electric car in Hemel Hempstead while on their way to attend a meeting about the issue with Herts MEP Richard Howitt at Boxmoor's Social Centre for the Blind on Monday. Loyal Lucas had tried to stop Derek from crossing the road but because he could not hear the electric car he insisted that the dog proceed. "All of a sudden the car was on top of me," said Derek. "I think the campaign is fantastic." Luckily the car managed to stop before hitting Derek or Lucas and the pair were unscathed. Mr Howitt said: "I voted recently in the European Parliament for the compulsory requirement to add sound to electric and hybrid vehicles, after listening carefully to the case made by local campaigners and the Guide Dogs Safe and Sound campaign. "The number of electric and hybrid vehicles on the road will grow apace as we all want better fuel economy and to reduce carbon emissions but these new vehicles are virtually silent and can pose a threat to pedestrians and cyclists, especially the safety of blind and partially sighted people. "Research in Britain, taking into account the number of vehicles on the road, shows pedestrians more likely to be hit by an electric car than a conventional one." Mr Howitt was joined in Hemel Hempstead by Guide Dogs community engagement officer Sue Rowen. [(c) 2013 Johnston Publishing] http://www.clicklancashire.com/news/local-news/1214521-mp-supports-guide -dogs%5C-call-to-keep-pedestrians-safe-from-silent-menace-.html MP supports Guide Dogs' call to keep pedestrians safe from silent menace by Sazida Desai. Published Mon 01 Jul 2013 Mr Hendrick has supported Guide Dogs' call for the installation of a vital safety feature on quiet hybrid and electric vehicles to keep pedestrians safe, ... http://www.cumnockchronicle.com/news/roundup/articles/2013/07/01/462618- cathy-calls-for-noisier-hybrid-vehicles-to-keep-pedestrians-safe/ Cathy calls for noisier hybrid vehicles to keep pedestrians safe Published 1 Jul 2013 Kilmarnock and Loudoun MP Cathy Jamieson is supporting Guide Dogs' call for the installation of a vital safety feature on quiet hybrid and electric vehicles to ... For all EVLN posts use: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/template/Na mlServlet.jtp?macro=search_page&node=413529&query=evln&sort=date Here are today's archive-only EV posts: EVLN: Electric Cars Beat ice Racers at Pikes Peak? EVLN: Not so Smart quirky EV marketing, a redesigned ForTwo in ~2015 EVLN: A shocking attack on the electric car (video) EVLN: Madrid's EV-Only-Use Bid to Host 2020 Olympic Games + EVLN: Geico Won't Insure EVs in Hawaii ... {brucedp.150m.com} -- View this message in context: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/EVLN-Noisy- EV-campaign-gets-backing-from-the-blind-video-tp4663983.html Sent from the Electric Vehicle Discussion List mailing list archive at Nabble.com. _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA) _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
