There has been quite a hub-bub about the dangers of hybrids because they are more quiet than internal combustion motivated vehicles. The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) naturally takes these matters quite seriously and in the Spring of 2007 approached SAE International about the problem. Minds can now be put to rest because, according to a press release issued by the SAE, decisive action has been taken.

Immediately following the request, the SAE International Motor Vehicle Council asked the Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Technical Committee to look into the problem. It was quickly discerned that they lacked the necessary skill sets to offer an expedient solution so they expeditiously passed it to the SAE Safety & Human Factors Committee. They promptly decided to form the Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP) subcommittee. The VSP speedily created three different "Task Forces" to further aid in determining the technical issues of who the benefit should target, which sounds would achieve the most desired and least desired effects and "what combination of vehicle conditions, vehicle status, and ambient conditions are required." The Task Forces will be meeting independently and reporting back to the VSP subcommittee on a monthly basis. We can be rest assured that the VSP subcommittee plans to issue a technical report or recommended practice by the end of 2008. You can read the press release after the jump for all the exciting details.

If the speed of the effort being put forth by the SAE isn't reassuring enough you will be happy to hear that various governments are also getting involved. the state of Maryland has already announced it is taking action and just today, Representatives Edolphus "Ed" Towns (D-NY) and Cliff Stearns (R-FL) introduced a bill called "The Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2008" which requires the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a study on how to protect the blind and others from being injured or killed by vehicles using hybrid, electric, and other silent engine technologies.

While we wait for the outcome of the various studies, recommendations and legislation we suggest people take care around pedestrian traffic, sighted or otherwise.