Gov't may add noise-making device to quiet hybrid cars for safety

Monday 06th July, 05:32 AM JST

TOKYO —

Japan’s near-silent hybrid cars have been called dangerous by the vision-impaired and some users, prompting a government review on whether to add a noise-making device, according to an official.

The petrol-electric vehicles, which in recent months have become the country’s top-selling autos, hum along almost soundlessly when they are switched from fuel to battery mode.

“We have received opinions from automobile users and vision-impaired people that they feel hybrid vehicles are dangerous,” a transport ministry official said.

“Blind people depend on sounds when they walk, but there are no engine sounds from hybrid vehicles when running at low speed” and on the electric motor, he said.

The ministry has launched a panel of scholars, vision-impaired groups, consumers, police and the automobile industry to discuss the matter.

“They decided to consider introducing a sound-making function” in petrol-electric hybrids when the 13-member panel held its first meeting Thursday, the official said.

They have not decided on what kind of sound should be used, only that it should induce a response of caution, he said.

“On the other hand, we should pay attention to residents along roads as hybrids are excellent in reducing noise,” the official added.

The panel is expected to draw up a report by the end of the year. Its proposal will be discussed at the ministry’s committee on automobile safety before it could be drafted into legislation.

Toyota Motor launched the world’s most popular hybrid, the Prius, in 1997.

A cheaper, revamped Prius, rolled out in Japan in late May, has been a huge hit, drawing orders for 200,000 units, according to Toyota. It recently became the best-selling car in Japan’s domestic market.

Wire reports

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Latest 15 of 27 Total Comments Show All

realist at 01:55 PM JST - 6th July

Why dont the government discuss their ideas with the bosozoku gangs. They know plenty about making noise-making.
Okinawamike at 02:16 PM JST - 6th July

Realist beat me to it.

I was thinking strap a bosozoku to the front, then eveyone can hear you coming.
Altria at 02:20 PM JST - 6th July

How about "EVERYONE LOOK AT ME! I DRIVE A PRIUS! VOTE OBAMA!" on loop.
Altria at 02:25 PM JST - 6th July

Actually forget that, just blast the Knight Rider theme.
notimpressed at 02:28 PM JST - 6th July

I vote for a combination of all Altria's suggestions.
nandakandamanda at 02:54 PM JST - 6th July

Walking with a friend across a car park or parking lot the other day and a car suddenly moved out of its slot right behind me. Never heard the engine, but the slight crunch of the tires on the tarmac and I jumped a mile thinking a car was rolling forward with no handbrake, or the driver was out to get me! Felt like an idiot, until I realized it was a Prius. Definitely a problem for situations where we subconsciously or consciously rely only on our ears/hearing.

The best solution may be to provide a gentle fake engine note to fit in with the patterns of regular non-hybrid vehicles. Some Scandinavian cars have their lights on permanently in the name of safety, so why should the Prius not do something like this?

It is funny that this becomes necessary, but not stupid, IMHO.
corinnajune at 04:42 PM JST - 6th July

just blast the Knight Rider theme

THIS. that would be the best & most awesome solution ;P
TumbleDry at 06:10 PM JST - 6th July

I hope they will do something against the loud mufflers too.

nandakandamanda: if you are visually impaired lights on or not might not changed much...
888naff at 09:36 PM JST - 6th July

"what an absolute joke... that is possibly the stupidest idea Ive heard from J-land in a long while.."

maybe, but alot of other news sources around the world report this as a good idea.

in some places the mantra for children crossing a road safely is stop, look, LISTEN.
sf2k at 03:13 PM JST - 7th July

why not add them to bicycles, scooters, old people...? anything could take a blind person down.. dogs too. Cars while turning make no/little noise so would injure someone just as likely. Thus this is some kind of logically fart. Cars take out cyclists everyday of the week and that's sighted people. The real problem is cars, not sighted or blind.

Let's not be afraid of silence. Easier and cheaper to equip a blind person with a metal detector or even a GPS, or some other tech, than spend on every electric car to return the roads to noise.

also sighted people will have to look where their going. That's actually not a bad thing.
sf2k at 03:18 PM JST - 7th July

If it does happen people can just use iTunes or tones like cellphone rings. Knight Rider themes will take over, or just the low jet engine hum?
bbqtatsujin at 10:57 PM JST - 7th July

So.... I suggest poker cards, clamped by wood clothes-line pins, clacking against wire-spoke wheels. Worked for me when I was 6. I had a "Harley" bicycle.

But seriously. Hybrids are dangerous, this is new technology and there will be growing pains. Bosozoku under the hood would be great, if a bit much.

Damn I hate bosozoku. :( I want to sleep.
wibble at 06:38 PM JST - 8th July

Actually - I do find this an issue. I have pretty good spatial hearing however a hybrid rolling up behind you is basically inaudible over Tokyo's noise...
PleasureGelf at 10:30 AM JST - 9th July

As a cyclist I have to say some sound would be good. You simply can't rely on your eyes only.
gogogo at 02:56 PM JST - 12th July

PLEASE NO, I freaking hate the "be bo be bo I'm turning" noise that trucks make it drivers me crazy.

Improve the conditions for the blind don't make 99% of other people suffer unneeded noise!