When Silence is Not Golden - Hybrid Cars Pose Risk to Blind, Visually Impaired, Says American Council of the Blind

Virtually silent engines remove key cue to safety; group seeks legislative help -- Robert Preidt

Hybrid cars run significantly quieter than gasoline engine cars, causing concern for the visually impaired who listen for sounds to guide their steps around traffic. So, when the approaching vehicle cannot be heard, it poses a danger to the pedestrian, even one with good vision.

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Is this an effect of going green that you were aware of?