Noise pollution

by zclayton2 - 5/23/12 6:51 AM

In Reply to: Poll: Noise generators for hybrid cars to keep people safe? by Lee Koo (ADMIN) Moderator CNET staff

I stayed for a while in a neighborhood with brick streets that covered several tens of blocks. There was this constant low hum that I couldn't figure out until I was driving in one day and noticed the car was making it on the brick work. I am glad it was a short stay because if I had bought a house in that area I would have had to move out. Very annoying.

I say the above because I can easily see the same situation as an unintended consequence. Lots of quiet noise generators on otherwise quiet cars that add up to a constant low roar of noise pollution.

Pedestrians need to be aware of their surroundings. Drivers need to be aware of pedestrians because some are deaf (my 84 year old mother) who wouldn't hear the noise generator anyway, or the blind who can not see the silent car coming. Drivers need to be prepared to stop if they are cruising at low speed. And make no mistake, low speed is all this is good for, tires make more noise than modern exhaust systems.