8-year old boy hit by Toyota Prius, raises debate over hybrid minimum sound levels

hks786 · 05-08-2008, 04:57 PM

On Sunday, and eight-year old boy was hit while riding his bike by a Toyota Prius because he couldn't hear the vehicle approaching.

Owen Erickson emerged from the accident with only minor bumps and bruises, but did end up on the hood of the Prius. Erickson was at fault for the accident — as he he rode his bike into the path of the vehicle — but his mother did put some of the blame on the hybrid as it was operating in silent EV mode.

It is believed that this is one of the first accident in the U.S. that can be linked to a hybrid's silent operation and gives credence to the bill currently in U.S. House of Representatives.

Toyota has yet to comment on the legislation but acknowledges that the situation needs to be looked at. "We do have to step back and take a look," John Hanson, Toyota's national manager of environmental, safety and quality communications, told KARE 11 News, an NBC affiliate.

So far Fisker — maker of the upcoming Karma Hybrid — is the only automaker to address the need of a minimum sound level for hybrids.

BlackSapphireZ · 05-08-2008, 05:01 PM

they brought that up before but all electric cars will be quiet. so what do to? not build electric cars?

honestly quieter the better.

UltimateBMW · 05-08-2008, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackSapphireZ

they brought that up before but all electric cars will be quiet. so what do to? not build electric cars?

honestly quieter the better.

No, make them all make that old printer noise. Hah!

Quote:

SHHHHTHERRRRRRRRAAAAANNNNNTTT

Crimson92 · 05-08-2008, 05:28 PM

it isnt the cars fault...its just natural selection at work

iku · 05-08-2008, 06:06 PM

^ haha, very true. the kid's mother should teach her son the basics to survive.

jetblk328i · 05-08-2008, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crimson92

it isnt the cars fault...its just natural selection at work

+1 lol god bless charles darwin

x5love · 05-08-2008, 06:41 PM

Guys don't blame the kid. I've bike a lot and really rely on my hearing to know whether or not cars are approaching. You look as much as you can, but pedestrians and bikers aren't equipped with side and rear view mirrors like cars are.

Its really dangerous how quiet hybrids are. Yea its cool and futuristic but this is a problem that needs to be addressed before more people get hurt.

Jaws · 05-08-2008, 11:00 PM

With most cars now the engine is almost silent at cruise. It's tire noise that is most noticeable. Maybe knobbies should be mandatory...

dcaero · 05-09-2008, 01:26 AM

Many of the companies that teach dogs for use as guide dogs for the blind have hybrid cars in their inventory just so the dogs can get used to not hearing engine noise and still knowing its a car.

Papa13 · 05-09-2008, 01:32 AM

Been saying that silent cars will cause shit like this to happen for years.

That's why i make mine louder.

In seriousness, bad on the kid for not looking and bad on the Prius for never sounding like its freaking on!

Tmac911 · 05-09-2008, 03:41 AM

Its America, every1 blames on each other man.

Couch · 05-09-2008, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tmac911

Its America, every1 blames on each other man.

And that's what pisses me off. It's never anyones fault. Something or someone else caused it.

But there is a problem with the cars being too quiet imo. I also think the quietness of an engine and sealed interior will eventually cause more people to fall asleep at the wheel. It's a bad combo.

E90SLAM · 05-09-2008, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tmac911

Its America, every1 blames on each other man.

neh...its more like everyone sues anyone for anything....

O-cha · 05-09-2008, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by x5love

You look as much as you can, but pedestrians and bikers aren't equipped with side and rear view mirrors like cars are.

A pedestrian can easily turn and look, if not they deserve to be hit. A biker maybe not as easily, but then maybe it should have sideview mirrors if it's an issue for them.

bosstones · 05-11-2008, 09:22 AM

+2 on the "blame someone else" mentality in the states. It annoys the crap out of me.

Maybe they should mandate the install of the "whistlers" on Prius'. lol

The_Blob · 05-11-2008, 10:13 AM

It's more of a problem for blind people.

voltron1011 · 05-11-2008, 05:21 PM

Jeromy Clarkson mentioned that in his review of the Prius:

SpecC · 05-11-2008, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voltron1011

Jeromy Clarkson mentioned that in his review of the Prius:

that is exactly what i thought of when i saw this thread

MaxL · 05-11-2008, 07:20 PM

Prius in hybrid mode is not quieter than most new cars at idle or when braking, and regular cars in slow speed zones spend more than 50% of time with driver not pushing gas pedal down, so the engines are mostly silent. Also, if kid could get on the road quickly enough for the driver not to have time to stop (from 15-20 MPH I assume), the point of no return for him was most probably too far to hear an engine of a slow-moving regular car, especially if the kid was in a helmet (which he/she should have been). I'd say that the chance that the low noise of the hybrid played a critical role in this is very low.

By the way, bicycle is considered a vehicle, and it is illegal to drive it on public roads at this age in most States, plus it is illegal for a driver, including bicycle riders, to enter a road without yielding to incoming traffic... So the noise level is really a moot point - if you break the law and common sense on at least two counts, you are asking for trouble regardless of technology.

Davin · 05-11-2008, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90SLAM

neh...its more like everyone sues anyone for anything....

for real, this is quite bullshit

omg516 · 05-12-2008, 04:50 PM

Toyota should put baseball cards in the spokes so blind people won't get hit by speeding hybrid drivers.

asdflkijd · 05-12-2008, 07:15 PM

......... only in America..

05-08-2008, 04:57 PM	#1
hks786 Major General 2184 Rep 5,364 Posts Drives: * Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	8-year old boy hit by Toyota Prius, raises debate over hybrid minimum sound levels On Sunday, and eight-year old boy was hit while riding his bike by a Toyota Prius because he couldn't hear the vehicle approaching. Owen Erickson emerged from the accident with only minor bumps and bruises, but did end up on the hood of the Prius. Erickson was at fault for the accident — as he he rode his bike into the path of the vehicle — but his mother did put some of the blame on the hybrid as it was operating in silent EV mode. It is believed that this is one of the first accident in the U.S. that can be linked to a hybrid's silent operation and gives credence to the bill currently in U.S. House of Representatives. Toyota has yet to comment on the legislation but acknowledges that the situation needs to be looked at. "We do have to step back and take a look," John Hanson, Toyota's national manager of environmental, safety and quality communications, told KARE 11 News, an NBC affiliate. So far Fisker — maker of the upcoming Karma Hybrid — is the only automaker to address the need of a minimum sound level for hybrids. __________________
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05-08-2008, 05:01 PM	#2
BlackSapphireZ Major 99 Rep 1,191 Posts Drives: 22 GLE 53 Coupe Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ladson, SC iTrader: (0)	they brought that up before but all electric cars will be quiet. so what do to? not build electric cars? honestly quieter the better. __________________ 2022 GLE 53 Coupe
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05-08-2008, 06:06 PM	#5
iku New Member 8 Rep 17 Posts Drives: slk32 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: vancouver iTrader: (0)	^ haha, very true. the kid's mother should teach her son the basics to survive.
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05-08-2008, 06:41 PM	#7
x5love Captain 78 Rep 715 Posts Drives: 08 E92 335i Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	Guys don't blame the kid. I've bike a lot and really rely on my hearing to know whether or not cars are approaching. You look as much as you can, but pedestrians and bikers aren't equipped with side and rear view mirrors like cars are. Its really dangerous how quiet hybrids are. Yea its cool and futuristic but this is a problem that needs to be addressed before more people get hurt. __________________ E92 335i\|Jet Black\|Black Dakota\|Alu\|Step/paddles\|ZPP\|ZSP\|6FL\|Navi\|Heated Seats\|CA
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05-08-2008, 11:00 PM	#8
Jaws Lieutenant Colonel 45 Rep 1,738 Posts Drives: 2006 325i mt Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (0)	With most cars now the engine is almost silent at cruise. It's tire noise that is most noticeable. Maybe knobbies should be mandatory... __________________ 2006 325i - Sparkling Graphite 2000 S2000 - New Formula Red 2007 Chev Silverado crew cab Z71
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05-09-2008, 01:26 AM	#9
dcaero Private 15 Rep 72 Posts Drives: E46 M3 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tucson, AZ iTrader: (0)	Many of the companies that teach dogs for use as guide dogs for the blind have hybrid cars in their inventory just so the dogs can get used to not hearing engine noise and still knowing its a car. __________________ 2006 BMW M3 \| SMG \| Jet Black \| Black Nappa Leather \| Titan Shadow Trim \| HK Prem Audio
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05-09-2008, 01:32 AM	#10
Papa13 Go Gators! 91 Rep 1,621 Posts Drives: e82 / e90 / e53 / e46 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tampa / SoCal iTrader: (5) Garage List 2009 135i [0.00]	Been saying that silent cars will cause shit like this to happen for years. That's why i make mine louder. In seriousness, bad on the kid for not looking and bad on the Prius for never sounding like its freaking on! __________________ e90 M-Tech 330i JB/Terra / e82 n54 135i AW/CR 420rwhp 444rwtq - RIP e53 X5 4.8is M///BLUE/M///SUEDE - 357whp 369wtq - The Snow Beast! n54 135i JB/CR JB4 FBO - Tc Kline D/A Coils - 11.5 @ 122mph 1/4 mile 18' Blue/Black SEL Premium R-Line 4 Motion Tiguan - Mods on order
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05-09-2008, 03:41 AM	#11
Tmac911 Ty Come AGAIN! 9 Rep 350 Posts Drives: 08 AW 335i 6mt Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Vancouver/852 iTrader: (1)	Its America, every1 blames on each other man. __________________ 2008 E92 335i 6MT Alpine White/ Coral Red, Sports, Premium, Comfort Access, Mtech Angel Eyes, 19" iForged Challenge, Aero Lip, Painted Reflectors, DD SSkirt, Vorsteiner Decklid, Vorsteiner Diffuser
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05-11-2008, 09:22 AM	#15
bosstones Lieutenant Colonel 1169 Rep 1,549 Posts Drives: o_0 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Suburbia iTrader: (0)	+2 on the "blame someone else" mentality in the states. It annoys the crap out of me. Maybe they should mandate the install of the "whistlers" on Prius'. lol
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05-11-2008, 10:13 AM	#16
The_Blob Second Lieutenant 486 Rep 298 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 335i Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	It's more of a problem for blind people.
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05-11-2008, 05:21 PM	#17
voltron1011 Colonel 119 Rep 2,909 Posts Drives: 2011 135i, FJR-1300 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wiesbaden iTrader: (2)	Jeromy Clarkson mentioned that in his review of the Prius: __________________ '06 E90 325i (Delivered May '05) 6-spd manual, Nav, Xenons, 18' 162's, sport-suspension, 15mm RE spacers, NURBURGRING: http://www.e90post.com/forums/album.php?albumid=3270
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05-11-2008, 07:20 PM	#19
MaxL Captain 69 Rep 957 Posts Drives: E90 M3, Cayenne T, 991 GT3 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Prius in hybrid mode is not quieter than most new cars at idle or when braking, and regular cars in slow speed zones spend more than 50% of time with driver not pushing gas pedal down, so the engines are mostly silent. Also, if kid could get on the road quickly enough for the driver not to have time to stop (from 15-20 MPH I assume), the point of no return for him was most probably too far to hear an engine of a slow-moving regular car, especially if the kid was in a helmet (which he/she should have been). I'd say that the chance that the low noise of the hybrid played a critical role in this is very low. By the way, bicycle is considered a vehicle, and it is illegal to drive it on public roads at this age in most States, plus it is illegal for a driver, including bicycle riders, to enter a road without yielding to incoming traffic... So the noise level is really a moot point - if you break the law and common sense on at least two counts, you are asking for trouble regardless of technology.
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05-12-2008, 04:50 PM	#21
omg516 Lieutenant 18 Rep 572 Posts Drives: 07 e90 335i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	Toyota should put baseball cards in the spokes so blind people won't get hit by speeding hybrid drivers.
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05-12-2008, 07:15 PM	#22
asdflkijd Aberry is a scammer 560 Rep 5,507 Posts Drives: SGM E92 335i, AM E90 335i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (14) Garage List 2008 E92 335i [10.00] 2007 E90 335i (Reti ... [9.00]	......... only in America..
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