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> has a loudspeaker in a fake exhaust pipe to make it sound like a petrol engine This is however exceptionally helpful for blind people navigating near a road.
by jsty 8y ago
> has a loudspeaker in a fake exhaust pipe to make it sound like a petrol engine
This is however exceptionally helpful for blind people navigating near a road.
I haven't seen the BMW in question so it might be unnecessarily loud, but electric cars are often so quiet you could barely hear one coming.
- cm2187 8y agoBut should blind people rely on sound to cross in the first place? Many european cities are pushing for more cycling. Bicycles are pretty much totally silent and can go as fast as a car typically goes in a busy city.
- jsty 8y agoI don't think it would ever be the chosen option and guide dogs, human assistance, etc. would all be preferable. But sometimes those just won't be available. One of the more dangerous aspects is in areas where cars are reversing / manoeuvring at low speeds - e.g. car parks. I'm fully sighted and still occasionally have a near miss with an electric / hybrid that I haven't noticed reversing! Bicycles do present some measure of danger, albeit reduced thanks to the lower momentum & crushing power. Some material from the RNIB, a UK charity: https://www.rnib.org.uk/rnibconnect/silent-deadly-electric-hybrid-vehicles-sight-loss https://www.rnib.org.uk/rnibconnect/silent-deadly-electric-h...
- black-tea 8y agoAre blind people stepping out in front of bicycles because they can't hear them?