# Bill requiring minimum auto sound levels expected **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [April 9, 2008, 12:35pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bill-requiring-minimum-auto-sound-levels-expected/46502 "2008-04-09T12:35:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ugo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ugo/32/7430_2.png) [@ugo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ugo)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 12:35pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bill-requiring-minimum-auto-sound-levels-expected/46502/1 "2008-04-09T12:35:58Z")
Measure’s aim: To protect blind pedestrians from quiet hybrids [Ryan Beene](mailto:rbeene@crain.com) **Automotive News** April 9, 2008 - 12:00 pm ET Legislation setting a minimum sound level for vehicles sold in the United States by as early as 2010 is expected to be introduced today in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill would require the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to lead a study to determine if a minimum sound level is needed to protect pedestrians, specifically the blind. And if such a level is necessary, the bill would set it. U.S. Reps. Edolphus Towns, D-N.Y., and Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., are sponsors of the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2008. The proposed legislation stemmed from concern that blind pedestrians may be put in danger because of quiet-running hybrid and electric vehicles. " The beneficial trend toward more environmentally friendly vehicles has had the unintended effect of placing the blind and other pedestrians in danger," Towns said in a statement. " As someone who taught travel with a white cane to the blind for many years, I understand that the sound of traffic is critically important in order for them to travel safely and independently." In March, a similar bill was passed by the Maryland Senate and House. Like the Maryland measure, the U.S. House bill would seek input from organizations representing the blind, other pedestrians and the auto industry. " This bill will prevent many injuries and fatalities while still allowing more clean vehicles on our nation’s roads," Towns said. The bill gives automakers two years to comply with the requirements. Separately in November 2007, the auto industry’s engineering trade group SAE International set up a subcommittee task force to study the issue. The group expects to issue findings by year end. An SAE statement says: " Even though the subcommittee’s initial focus is only on hybrid vehicles, any data collected or generated in understanding the issues could eventually include other vehicle types besides hybrids." ---
**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 12:38pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bill-requiring-minimum-auto-sound-levels-expected/46502/2 "2008-04-09T12:38:03Z")
lol stupid politicians ---
**Author:** ![TrueBlue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/trueblue/32/7245_2.png) [@TrueBlue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TrueBlue)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 12:38pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bill-requiring-minimum-auto-sound-levels-expected/46502/3 "2008-04-09T12:38:11Z")
Stick a card in the spokes :lol: ---
**Author:** ![ugo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ugo/32/7430_2.png) [@ugo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ugo)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 12:45pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bill-requiring-minimum-auto-sound-levels-expected/46502/4 "2008-04-09T12:45:52Z")
Any blind guys on the XXX last night? Hope not, 'cuz they will also be deaf now. ---
**Author:** ![JayS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jays/32/15375_2.png) [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 12:51pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bill-requiring-minimum-auto-sound-levels-expected/46502/5 "2008-04-09T12:51:09Z")
It makes sense and I really doubt it would be that hard to add some sort of sound to an electric car. Put yourself in the blind guy’s shoes. You’ve fought hard to keep some independence and now you can’t safely cross the street because you may get hit by some Prius running in electric only mode. ---
**Author:** ![TORQDSS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/torqdss/32/5125_2.png) [@TORQDSS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TORQDSS)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 12:56pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bill-requiring-minimum-auto-sound-levels-expected/46502/6 "2008-04-09T12:56:44Z")
> [@JayS](#): > > It makes sense and I really doubt it would be that hard to add some sort of sound to an electric car. > > Put yourself in the blind guy’s shoes. You’ve fought hard to keep some independence and now you can’t safely cross the street because you may get hit by some Prius running in electric only mode. that would suck ---
**Author:** ![The\_Russian](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/the_russian/32/7414_2.png) [@The\_Russian](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/The_Russian)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 12:59pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bill-requiring-minimum-auto-sound-levels-expected/46502/7 "2008-04-09T12:59:01Z")
Can we give the hybrids the same motors that are used in newmans vaccuum that woke up jam? ---
**Author:** ![Paulo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/paulo/32/7328_2.png) [@Paulo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Paulo)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 1:00pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bill-requiring-minimum-auto-sound-levels-expected/46502/8 "2008-04-09T13:00:06Z")
lets start modifying our cars to be super quiet. ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 1:00pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bill-requiring-minimum-auto-sound-levels-expected/46502/9 "2008-04-09T13:00:55Z")
haha. so my friend had a 3 wheeled electric cart that was 100% silent. Not only did it look fucking funny as hell, but the only noise it made was the tires on the pavement. sometimes his fat dad would drive it. It was fucking awesome. once we made a sidecar for it out of a wheelchair and drove it around hamburg at 2am. The driver wore a helmet and shop goggles with a maglight taped to the side. ---
**Author:** ![Willybeen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/willybeen/32/7351_2.png) [@Willybeen](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Willybeen)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 1:02pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bill-requiring-minimum-auto-sound-levels-expected/46502/10 "2008-04-09T13:02:31Z")
if you cant hear the tire/road contact noises or see the vehicles coming… then darwin should work his magic anyway (sorry if your blind or deaf, you’re not among the “fittest” ---
**Author:** ![zwarbyt](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/zwarbyt/32/7623_2.png) [@zwarbyt](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/zwarbyt)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 1:04pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bill-requiring-minimum-auto-sound-levels-expected/46502/11 "2008-04-09T13:04:17Z")
fuck the blind ---
**Author:** ![Xander](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/xander/32/7597_2.png) [@Xander](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Xander)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 1:05pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bill-requiring-minimum-auto-sound-levels-expected/46502/12 "2008-04-09T13:05:57Z")
> [@zwarbyt](#): > > fuck the blind Good idea, they wouldn’t know you’re ugly. :headbang: x… ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 1:06pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bill-requiring-minimum-auto-sound-levels-expected/46502/13 "2008-04-09T13:06:11Z")
also. how has this not been posted? ![http://store.abateonline.org/catalog/images/Sticker_LoudPipes.jpg](http://store.abateonline.org/catalog/images/Sticker_LoudPipes.jpg) ![http://www.bikernewsonline.com/uploaded_images/Loud-Pipes-Save-Lives-785396.jpg](http://www.bikernewsonline.com/uploaded_images/Loud-Pipes-Save-Lives-785396.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![zwarbyt](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/zwarbyt/32/7623_2.png) [@zwarbyt](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/zwarbyt)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 1:13pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bill-requiring-minimum-auto-sound-levels-expected/46502/14 "2008-04-09T13:13:23Z")
> [@Xander](#): > > Good idea, they wouldn’t know you’re ugly. :headbang: > > x… or poz ---
**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 1:16pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bill-requiring-minimum-auto-sound-levels-expected/46502/15 "2008-04-09T13:16:06Z")
Seriously though, would there be enough of a benefit from this to justify a legislation change and then mandatory design changes? I just really see this as a massive waste of time. How many blind people have been hurt because of a car without a running gas motor? I’m going to go out on a limb and say it’s a number close to zero. How many years have hybrids been out now? Which brings me back to “lol stupid politicians” :tup: ---
**Author:** ![Eazy716](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/eazy716/32/7443_2.png) [@Eazy716](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Eazy716)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 1:19pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bill-requiring-minimum-auto-sound-levels-expected/46502/16 "2008-04-09T13:19:05Z")
![http://i.d.com.com/i/dl/vdl/media/image/38/11/1138_320x240.jpg](http://i.d.com.com/i/dl/vdl/media/image/38/11/1138_320x240.jpg) whoooo whoooooo ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Stevil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/da6949/32.png) [@Dr.Stevil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Dr.Stevil)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 1:23pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bill-requiring-minimum-auto-sound-levels-expected/46502/17 "2008-04-09T13:23:53Z")
> [@TrueBlue](#): > > Stick a card in the spokes :lol: :lol: ---
**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 1:24pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bill-requiring-minimum-auto-sound-levels-expected/46502/18 "2008-04-09T13:24:13Z")
> [@National Federation for the Blind](#): > > Proposed Legislation: Legislation requiring the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, to establish and promulgate a national standard for a minimum sound to be emitted by all new automobiles sold in the United States, based on appropriate scientific research and consultation with blind Americans and other affected groups, is urgently needed. This national minimum sound standard should have the following characteristics: > • In all phases of operation, including times when the vehicle is at a full stop, vehicles should be required to emit an omni-directional sound with similar spectral characteristics to those of a modern internal combustion engine. > • The sound should vary in a way that is consistent with the sound of vehicles with combustion engines to indicate whether the vehicle is idling, maintaining a constant speed, accelerating, or decelerating. > The standard need not prescribe the apparatus, technology, or method to be used by vehicle manufacturers to achieve the required minimum sound level. This approach will encourage manufacturers to use innovative and cost-effective techniques to achieve the minimum sound standard. > The addition of components that will emit a minimum sound discernible to blind people and other pedestrians will not adversely affect the environmental benefits of gasoline-electric hybrids and other automobiles running on alternate power sources, nor need the sound be loud enough to contribute to noise pollution. Automobiles that operate in complete silence, however, endanger the safety of everyone; silent operation should be seen as a design flaw similar to the lack of seat belts or air bags. I guess the thing that bugs me is that even with this legislation passed they still won’t be able to walk out into traffic “safely.” There’s this thing called the dopplar effect… Ah well. Maybe I’d be singing a different tune if I was blind? ---
**Author:** ![Bacon](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/bacon/32/7230_2.png) [@Bacon](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Bacon)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 1:28pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bill-requiring-minimum-auto-sound-levels-expected/46502/19 "2008-04-09T13:28:02Z")
I can see it now, a bunch of hippies meeting in a parking lot, bragging about how many miles they get per gallon. Illegally modifying their cars to be silent and get even better mileage as well. Setting up endurance races, most of which will happen from a roll on highway to see who can last longer on a gallon of gas, because they don’t get the concept of going from a dig stoplight to stoplight. EDIT: And try to end the suffering of any blind people that should cross their paths. Those crazy hooligans. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Stevil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/da6949/32.png) [@Dr.Stevil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Dr.Stevil)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 1:29pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bill-requiring-minimum-auto-sound-levels-expected/46502/20 "2008-04-09T13:29:09Z")
> [@Fry](#): > > I guess the thing that bugs me is that even with this legislation passed they still won’t be able to walk out into traffic “safely.” There’s this thing called the dopplar effect… > > Ah well. Maybe I’d be singing a different tune if I was blind? agreed is it even that much of a problem? How many blind people were injured in the past year from this? I’m guessing next to none. Don’t they have more important issues to address? [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bill-requiring-minimum-auto-sound-levels-expected/46502.md?page=2)