Cobras politically acceptable?

[w-lewis]

Reading this article from Automotive News makes we wonder, will Cobras become more politically acceptable, possibly even correct?


"Legislation setting a minimum sound level for vehicles sold in the United States by as early as 2010 is expected to be introduced today in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The bill would require the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to lead a study to determine if a minimum sound level is needed to protect pedestrians, specifically the blind. And if such a level is necessary, the bill would set it.

U.S. Reps. Edolphus Towns, D-N.Y., and Cliff Stearns, R-Fla., are sponsors of the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2008. The proposed legislation stemmed from concern that blind pedestrians may be put in danger because of quiet-running hybrid and electric vehicles.

" The beneficial trend toward more environmentally friendly vehicles has had the unintended effect of placing the blind and other pedestrians in danger," Towns said in a statement. " As someone who taught travel with a white cane to the blind for many years, I understand that the sound of traffic is critically important in order for them to travel safely and independently."

[redd]

make all cars sound like the cobra and the blind will have no problem.

[mdmull]

I have an Audi A4 that @ idle or coast is certainly below the ambient noise level in major cities & most suburban roads @ intersections. Will I have to put baseball cards in my spokes too?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by mdmull

Will I have to put baseball cards in my spokes too?

Ahh, that brings back memories. I also remember that in the 60's there was a toy that you could get that you put on your bike and it revved and sounded like a motorcycle. Always wanted that toy, but Santa Claus never brought me one.

[powerslide]

I think we're on to something here! I can't ever remember anyone hitting a blind person with a 427 SC. We need to bring this to the attention of the DOT. Do you think we could convince the DOT to qualify 427 SC's for those funny lookin' blue mirror tags that would allow us to park in the ADA parking spaces? Or am I pushin' it?

[DonC]

Nope, haven't hit a blind person yet. Even scared away a cow and a dog last summer on the Mile High club's Tour Colorado. Without the noise of the pipes I probably would have gotten both of them.
DonC

[FFRCobraMike]

I think a blind person can hear us coming form 10 blocks away. I have a DB meter. Should I get an average reading to see what kind of sound we put out? Take readings from 25, 50 and 100 feet so we can send some data to the DOT

[speed220mph]

In these here parts, hitting deer is a big problem, particularly in the foothills and mountain wooded areas. But I've never even seen a deer while driving the Cobra, much less dogs, skunks, rabbits, coyotes, possums or other wild creatures except for road kill. Correction: I did see a turtle in the middle of the road one time. I stopped and placed him safely out of the way. Back on the subject: The 12:1 compression big block with stainless pipes gives animals plenty of advance warning, so when I get to where they were, they're long gone.

Bottom line is maybe there should be a required minimum noise level emitted by vehicles. But we all know that once politicians start legislating limits on anything they really screw up things. Maybe we should just keep quiet . . . except for our Cobras.

[Hans-Olof Blom]

Driving at 60mph I get 101 dBA in the car. Does that mean that a blind can drive it???