Hybrids Pose Threat to Visually Impaired Pedestrians

The new chairman of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, David Strickland, warned about the dangers of hybrid vehicles to those with visual impairments at the Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress. He hinted that his organization may be imposing new requirements to enhance the safety of hybrid vehicles to pedestrians. He also addressed the dangers of vehicle infotainment systems because of their distracting influence on drivers.

According to the NHTSA chair, limited figures from 12 states evaluated by the NHTSA indicate that hybrid vehicles have a “significantly” higher rate of collisions with pedestrians than gas-powered vehicles. This was particularly true when drivers were engaged in certain maneuvers, such as making turns, backing up, and leaving and entering a parking space. The agency is now exploring the possibility of hybrid vehicles emitting a “base level of sound” at low speeds to give visually impaired pedestrians an alert.

“We think to be effective this sound has to be as readily identifiable as a vehicle,” explained Strickland.

Several automakers are already contemplating equipping their hybrid vehicles with such a device, including Lotus and Nissan. Lotus' Safe and Sound technology has shown that hybrids can be made safe with a simple fix, and the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle is already equipped with a warning sound system for pedestrians.

Infotainment System Dangers

Strickland pulled no punches when it came to in-vehicle entertainment systems, saying, “We will not take a back seat new telematics and infotainment systems are introduced. These have too great a potential to create more and more distraction for the driver.” The agency plans to examine infotainment systems more closely, particularly their requirements and guidelines.

Strickland also noted that the NHTSA is developing the fuel standards for 2017 and beyond while finishing up their rear-back-over standards. The latter requirements, mandated by Congress in 2008, have the NHTSA investigating vehicle’s rearward visibility for small children and people with disabilities. The investigation may lead the agency to mandate backup cameras on all future vehicles.