Deadly quiet: A third of blind people have been hit or narrowly missed by electric cars – as calls grow to make them louder
- A third of blind people have been hit or narrowly missed by an electric car
- Vision Australia has warned of the dangers and want changes to be made
- Electric and hybrid cars can barely be heard when travelling at under 20km/h
- In US, Europe and Japan, the vehicle must release a warning sound when slow
A third of blind people have either been hit or narrowly missed by an electric car as vision-impaired Australians call for new standards to ensure the deadly quiet vehicles can be heard.
Vision Australia has warned of the dangers as the number of electric vehicles purchased continues to grow.
By 2050, it is predicted up to 90 per cent of cars will be electric.
The vehicles can barely be heard when travelling under 20km/h and blind people want Australia to match new international standards.
The US, Europe and Japan have enforced regulations in which the car must release a warning sound, including a chime or beep, when travelling under this limit.
A third of blind people have either been hit or narrowly missed by electric cars. When travelling under 20km/h , they can barely be heard (file image)
Vision Australia spokesman Chris Edwards said that laws in Australia needed to change top ensure pedestrian safety.
But he told The Australian that calls to Transport Minister Michael McCormack had been ignored.
‘He acknowledged the importance of it, but we haven’t got any commitment to introduce it, Mr Edwards said.
‘They’re a silent menace, but it’s a problem that can be easily resolved,’ he said.
A spokesperson for Mr McCormack said changes were under consideration and the government recognised it was a serious issue for vision-impaired people.
At least 35 per cent of people who are blind or have low vision have had a ‘collision or near-collision’, according to a study by Monash University and Vision Australia.
Dr Sara Liu, from the university’s Accident Research Centre, said people with low vision were vulnerable and could be disadvantaged.
‘Our research has highlighted that the risk of incidents between electric and hybrid vehicles is likely to increase unless measures are taken to protect vulnerable road users,’ Dr Liu said.
‘With the number of electric vehicles globally and in Australia projected to increase, with cumulative estimates of more than 500 million electric vehicles sold globally by 2040, it’s important to do something now.’
The US, Europe and Japan have enforced regulations in which the car releases a warning sound when travelling under 20km/h (file image)