In January, President Obama signed into law the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act (S. 841), which will help protect people who are blind, as well as other pedestrians, from injury as a result of silent vehicle technology. The legislation requires the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to determine a minimum level of sound that must be emitted by electric and hybrid vehicles to ensure pedestrian safety.

New vehicles that employ hybrid or electric engine technology can be nearly silent, causing them to be dangerous in situations where vehicles and pedestrians come into close proximity, according to the National Federation of the Blind.
People who are not blind, such as bicyclists, runners, and small children, will also benefit from hearing approaching vehicles.

For more information: www.nfb.org