Plan would make hybrids noisy to protect blind

[Power Surge]

First off, most hybrid cars still have gas engines. ELECTRIC cars are quiet. That's not hybrid.

Do we really have THAT large a quantity of blind people out on the street, AND that large a quantity of electric cars driving out there? And are the chances of them meeting at the same time REALLY that great??

[Chaplin]

The funny thing is, I took my first ride in hybrid last week- a Honda Civic- once the gas engine warmed up to a certain point it shuts off completely and runs off electric and the car is almost completely silent. When we stopped at traffic lights, the car was totally silent becaue the gas and electric motors would shut off and the rpm would drop to 0. It was really weird.

Anyway, as I was riding in this thing I thought, "Wow, these are going to make it really tough for blind people to cross the street." And now this thread! Ironic.

[mr0077]

I think we should require hybrids to emit soot clouds too, so deaf people can see them...
Maurice, just kidding, I know it is a serious concern for your son and others. It sounds like your son really has his stuff together! God Bless.

[lineslinger]

My hearing sucks so bad (rock band, race cars, firearms) that if am walking in a parking lot for instance, I watch exhaust pipes of parked cars to try and tell if that car is running or not.
This hybrid "quiet" issue has me thinking I need to change that technique as well.

[Maurice Johnson]

Hey guys-- nobody needs to think that any offense is taken over any of the comments, serious or humorous. I've read this thread to my son, and he cracked up over some of the comments. Life is,what it is. We consider ourselves fortunate to live in a time when many of these issues are more on the solution side and not the problem side. My son is accomplishing many things I certainly am not capable of. On 9/11 when I sat in tears while describing to him about the loss of 346 of my comrades (i'm a retired fire dept captain) he said "sometimes not being able to see is an advantage". Enough from me on this subject.

[lineslinger]

Originally Posted by Maurice Johnson

Enough from me on this subject.

Maurice,
To the contrary sir, I have enjoyed your observations and insight, from one ex-firefighter to another, thank you

[Ronbo]

I think they should equip all cars with high pressure water hoses. That way if you see a blind person about to walk out in traffic you can knock 'em back to the sidewalk...

Seriously, most people look out for the white canes or guide dog anyway. If a blind person is walking around without either of these they're not long for this world, loud exhaust or not.

[Jamo]

Maurice...good on your son for his sense of humor. Sounds like a good man.

[fsstnotch]

Originally Posted by Jamo

Maurice...good on your son for his sense of humor. Sounds like a good man.

Ditto that!

I didn't mean to sound like a d!ck in my last post. I didn't mean anything by it. Now that you clarified, that makes PLENTY more sense. I guess I missed it earlier in the thread! When i initially read your post I was thinking.. blind people with drivers licenses... that sounds unsafe. But it makes perfect sense now.

[Roscoe]

I was in White Plains, NY a few months ago. The crosswalks all have voice and bird chirping for the blind. They don't give a sh1t about deaf people though, just blind people. I found the voice/chirping quite annoying. I can't imagine the cost to taxpayers.

Roscoe

[Maurice Johnson]

I said earlier that I was finished with this subject, so would someone tell Roscoe that deaf persons can SEE the cars coming, and can SEE "walk" "dont walk" signs. A hearing impairment is also a serious safety issue, particularly in large cities.

[4RE KLR]

It seems that we do not notice or take into account what others have to deal with until it personally effects us. I know for one, I never thought about the handicapped parking spaces. I never parked in one because I don't want a ticket, but I never really gave it much thought either.

Then my brother was in an accident and became a quadriplegic. After almost six months in the hospital we took him home. That is where he did not want to be. He wanted to go places. That is when the parking spaces came to light, front and center.

How many of you have noticed that there is always some old fart parked in a handicapped space because they are too damned fat to walk from a regular space. Worse yet some doctor has given them a tag for the mirror. Or someone who has a real need for a sticker will park there when the real handicapped person is not even in the car.

What I am getting at is I am now a lot more considerate of other peoples needs when they are truly affected and need some sort of assistance. If you will stop for about a minute and close your eyes and try to navigate a street (walking) I think more of us would be understanding of this problem.

Do I have a solution, no. Do I think we should be compassionate and help each other, yes!

[Ron61]

My youngest brother lost his eyesight a few years before the fall that caused it took his life, so I have been around a blind person for a short period of time. He adapted to it a lot quicker and better than I would have I am sorry to say. As for the handicapped parking, we had a sticker for the car when I took him places, but I never park in one of those places and have taken license plate numbers and turned them in back when the police would actually do something around here. A short time back I saw one of our police cruisers parked in the one at the post office and thought if that person is so disabled they can't walk an extra 15 feet maybe they shouldn't be driving either. I went in and it was one of the newer ones we have who was about 6' 2" and in better health than 90% of the people around here. And there were 10 or 12 open parking places right down the row beside where he had parked. People just don't seem to care any more.

Ron

[JTD]

People just don't seem to care any more.


Perhaps the law is just not enforced? Heck, how many people actually yield at a yield sign? Or use their blinker to signal anymore?

[JeepSnake]

Originally Posted by Maurice Johnson

We consider ourselves fortunate to live in a time when many of these issues are more on the solution side and not the problem side.

Maurice, I cannot begin to tell you how encouraging that statement is.

[JBCOBRA]

Hi Ron
I am with you 150%
When people park in Handycapped parking spots, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with them it makes me CRAZY. I have enjoyed making people move their cars LOL

[Jim Doak]

Sometimes you can't tell if someone is handicapped just by looking at them. You never know if they have some type of debilitating condition that isn't particularly obvious.

However, if they sprint from the handicapped parking spot to the bar, then you might have a point.

[Ron61]

Jim,

Very few of the 25 year olds around here are handicapped except mentally and that doesn't count. Also I would guess that 3 out of 5 cars parked in those spots don't have a handicapped sticker. I don't consider some 450 pound woman who just doesn't want to walk the extra width of the car as handicapped. Of course there is Fred's Biker Babe. But I don't think she would fit in a parking place.

Ron

[JBCOBRA]

It is pretty easy to tell, Like when they are a twenty something, in a big rush, talking their cell phones, no handycapped emblem hanging from the mirror, looking like they just came from or are heading to the gym or on their way to get to happy hour 2 minutes faster and need some smokes or whatever etc. etc. you know what I mean right?

[wtm442]

About 3 times a year I yell at people who park in handicapped spots. I normally say "Hey, the handicapped spots are for physically handicapped people, not mentally handicapped like you."

Most people just continue on with the business of rushing around, but some get red faced.