Prius targeted: Maryland lawmakers want "minimum" vehicle sound levels

Prius targeted: Maryland lawmakers want "minimum" vehicle sound levels

Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Government/Legal, Green, Safety, Toyota

Click above for a high-resolution gallery of the 2007 Toyota Prius Touring.
While the Toyota Prius and other hybrids may be the next best thing to riding a Vespa for the environment, one group has been concerned about their lack of noise they produce. Members of the National Federation of the Blind are voicing their concerns to a Maryland legislative committee today regarding the safety of hybrid vehicles while running in all-electric mode. It's been reported over the last couple of years that individuals who rely on sound to safely interpret and navigate their surroundings are at risk when navigating congested urban environments populated by hybrids. The legislative task force will study the effects of a vehicle's noise levels on pedestrian safety and make a recommendation by the end of the year. If this initiative gets traction, we don't think a Prius will start singing like the Ferrari F430 anytime soon... but maybe they could give it a nice growl like the Audi R8?
Gallery: 2007 Toyota Prius Touring


[Source: Automotive News (subs. req'd)]

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maybe they can train the blind to listen for echo location and strap sonar devices on all new prius.....i always did think prius looked like a whale a little.

with the Maryland School for the Blind literally across the street for me, i think it's a great idea to require a minimum sound level...i've seen those kids almost step out into traffic more than once because they couldn't hear a Prius go by (there's a bunch of them in my area for some reason). thankfully they have "handlers" who walk with them anytime they leave campus, but still...i'd hate to see one of those kids get hurt.

If you own a Prius and live there you can simply just remove the muffler or put in a straight pipe with a cat.

i'm glad i'm doing my part with a fujitsubo catback. *pats self on back*

most Prius owners around here are middle-aged, and like quiet.

That doesn't work when you're at low speed and cruising only on electricity.

Solution: remote control fart machines. Put the speakers on the cars, give the blind folks the remotes. They can push the button any time they're at a crossing, and if any Prius' are nearby they'll make their presence known, lol!

this should do it



you are supposed to honk your horn everytime you see a pedestrian at an intersection, i learned tht from driving school and if you pay attention most ups, fedex, and usps drivers do it. but they should definatley make it sound like a muscle car

haha...

OOO I can put good use to my 139 dB horn of pain.