Chris Orr and his dog Riley. Photo / Janna Dixon
Campaigners for the blind want eco-friendly hybrid cars to come with a health warning.
The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind shares overseas fears that blind pedestrians could be in danger because the cars, which run on petrol and electricity, are almost silent.
Foundation community education and
awareness manager Chris Orr supported the use of environmentally friendly vehicles but said there was a potential for accidents, especially as hybrids such as the Toyota Prius became more common.
"The downside is they are very quiet. I have been close to one and they are very difficult to hear. When there is any ambient noise it is impossible. If you can't hear it coming it is a potential hazard."
Some critics have suggested installing devices that emit warning sounds in the cars but Orr, who is blind, is not convinced. "A beeping noise will drive people mad."
He had heard of some experiments using a less offensive "rumbling" sound, which would be inaudible to drivers.
Orr said the foundation was hoping for a solution "as soon as possible" but had not decided on its own policy. He also hoped car dealers would make hybrid owners aware of the possible dangers their quiet cars posed.
There are more than 3000 hybrid cars on New Zealand roads, just 0.1 per cent of all licensed vehicles.
John Pollard from the Clean, Green Car Company, which sells hybrids, said the sound issue was an "old chestnut. I haven't heard of anybody being knocked down by a hybrid car. It's like an urban legend."
Pollard said hybrids were "lovely and quiet" but he did not accept that they were dangerous.
"The person driving the car has the responsibility to make sure the road is clear. I would assume blind people are taking extra care too."
Pollard agreed with Orr that installing warning sounds was not necessary. "There's enough beeping in our lives."
The Ministry of Transport told the Herald on Sunday it was looking into the issue. "When operating under battery power, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric and fuel cell vehicles create much less noise than conventional vehicles. However, no vehicles are completely silent when moving," it said.
The ministry said the Government had set a goal for New Zealand to become one of the first countries to widely use electric vehicles and was considering "appropriate noise levels", among other matters.
