New US Regulation Requires Audible Alerts for All Hybrid and Electric Vehicles to Lessen Accidents

A new regulation from the U.S. Department of Transportation requires a sound "software" for newly manufactured hybrid and electric light-duty vehicles to help "avoid accidents."

The new federal safety standard from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will help pedestrians who have disabilities, that are blind, have low vision, and other pedestrians detect the presence, direction and location of these vehicles. According to the NHTSA website, this can help prevent at least 2,400 pedestrian injuries annually.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said the presence of more quieter cars will affect pedestrians to hear and see the cars. This can be a very crucial factor in their safety.

The new ruling directs all hybrid and electric light vehicles with four wheels and a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less to make audible noise when traveling in reverse or forward of speeds up to 30 km per hour. This is not needed in higher speeds as other factors such as tire and wind noise can provide adequate audible warning to pedestrians.

Manufacturers have until September 1, 2019 to equip all of their new hybrid and electric vehicles with sounds that meet the new federal safety standards. Half of new hybrid and electric vehicles must follow the safety standard before the final deadline.

Eric Bridges of the American Council of the Blind commended the decision, saying this will make streets safer for the blind and visually impaired. This will also serve as an additional safety cue for pedestrians who now share the road with these vehicles.

The new standard, called the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 141, will respond to Congress's mandate in the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act that all hybrid and electric vehicles must meet minimum sound requirements to provide audible alerts for the disabled.