As automobiles become more eco-friendly, they're also becoming increasingly quieter... which is a good thing, if, like us, you want to live in a completely silent world (the blaring of Mastodon notwithstanding). The obvious problem with quieter vehicles is, of course that they can pose a real danger to unsuspecting pedestrians. To combat this terrifying prospect, Senators John Kerry (D, MA) and Arlen Spector (R, er... D, PA) have introduced The Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2009. This bill requires the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a study on what effects of
hybrid,
electric and other silent engine vehicles are having on pedestrian injuries and deaths in the US. The bill specifically focuses on the perils of quiet engines to blind pedestrians, but notes that the dangers are likely wider spread than that. While there are no possible solutions mentioned, may we suggest writing into law that you have to have a bullhorn strapped to your car and yell "vroom vroom" the entire time you drive?
posted April 29th 2009 4:51PM
The world in economic peril, a swine (ahem designer) flu sweeping the world, fighting two wars soon to be three and maybe four, people still loosing their homes, unemployment rate still climbing, and the Gov't is worried about fricking cars that are too quiet?
You cannot tell me that there isnt some focus group run by a large supporter out there that is about to get some huge goverment grant to do a study in which the conclusion will never be known and a bill that will just stall or be forgotten about.
I suggest we inact the Taxpayer Red Ass Act of 2009 because half the US population breaks out in hemroids everytime someone on the hill gets a big idea.