Pocono News Section

Hybrids Putting Blind People in Danger?

Hybrids Putting Blind People in Danger? - Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at 4:00PM EST

? Reported by: Mike Trim
Wednesday, Apr 9, 2008 @04:00pm EST

They use less gas thannormal cars and can save a bundle at the pump. Hybrid cars are makingtheir mark in the market, but a new bill introduced in Congress wants to makethem safer. It's all to help blindpeople.

Dorothy Ostrowski of Plainsis blind, and has walked through plenty of busy intersections. Avoiding an accidentcomes down to hearing cars around her. "I mean, I don'tknow about the average person, but we certainly need the noise," saysOstrowski.

Two members of Congressagree, and are presenting a bill to make cars, specifically hybrids, nosier, sopeople like Dorothy can hear them coming. “They are too quiet. Imean, if we're standing in the midst of traffic like that road there, weprobably wouldn't even hear it," she said.

The bill would requirethe National Transportation Department to establish safety standards for quietcars like hybrids. Motor World in Wilkes-Barre gave us a ride in this ToyotaCamry hybrid. Motor World marketingmanager John Quinn says, "It's an advantage. You don't have to blast theradio to hear it, you don't have to speak up. You don't have to scream at yourkids in the back. They can hear your talking."

But Quinn says this kindof car is far from silent. “You're still going tohave your normal sounds associated with normal driving. You know, tirefriction, radios, brakes," says Quinn.

Right now, there are nostatistics that show blind people are injured more by hybrids. Jennifer Throop of the GreaterWilkes-Barre Association of the Blind says it's better to be safe than sorry. "I think it'sbetter to prevent than to react to a potential tragedy," says Throop.

Something the new bill, if passed, is designed to do. The Greater Wilkes-BarreAssociation of the Blind says possible changes could include something in thecars wheel to make it nosier. Also, a slight beepingnoise could be added.

The first thing thatwould be done, if this bill is passed, is study exactly how many accidents arecaused by quiet cars like hybrids.