{"id":162696,"date":"2019-09-17T20:34:46","date_gmt":"2019-09-17T12:34:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.geek.com\/featured\/-1804234\/"},"modified":"2019-09-17T20:34:46","modified_gmt":"2019-09-17T12:34:46","slug":"drivers-may-be-able-to-choose-quiet-vehicle-alert-sound","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itteacheritfreelance.hk\/test\/wordpress\/2019\/09\/17\/drivers-may-be-able-to-choose-quiet-vehicle-alert-sound\/","title":{"rendered":"Drivers May Be Able to Choose \u2018Quiet Vehicle\u2019 Alert Sound"},"content":{"rendered":"
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NHTSA proposed allowing automakers to offer a variety of sound choices for electric vehicles to choose from to alert pedestrians (via Vlad Tchompalov\/Unsplash)<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

One of the perks of driving an electric vehicle is the peace and quiet.<\/span><\/p>\n

But the absence of noise and vibration from an internal combustion engine also poses a danger to blind, elderly, and young (or distracted) pedestrians and cyclists.<\/span><\/p>\n

Early last year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced requirements for “quiet cars” to emit a specific warning sound when moving at speeds below 20 mph.<\/span><\/p>\n

(Automobiles traveling above 18.6 mph apparently generate enough noise from tire and wind resistance.)<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, the agency is considering relaxing the rules<\/a> to allow a suite of alerts from which a driver may select their preference.<\/span><\/p>\n

In response to a petition from automakers, NHTSA has proposed an amendment “to remove the current limitation of one sound per vehicle model,” Reuters reported<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The department is seeking public comment “on whether there should be a limit to the number of compliant sounds that a manufacturer can install, and what that limit should be.”<\/span><\/p>\n

I’d like to submit for consideration the entire ABBA back catalog, game show sound effects, and the intonation of a lightsaber being ignited, wielded, and retracted.<\/span><\/p>\n

You’re welcome, NHTSA.<\/span><\/p>\n

The long-delayed regulations, first submitted in 2010, will take full effect by 2020, when every quiet vehicle will need some sort of alert mechanism.<\/span><\/p>\n

The public has until Nov. 1 to register comments on this proposal.<\/span><\/p>\n

More on Geek.com:<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n