New law for electric taxis means “white noise” warnings to be fitted to silent vehicles

via taxi-point https://ift.tt/2FSmUSY

All electric vehicles sold will have to sound “white noise” to warn the public that the vehicle is approaching as of next year.

The new regulations have been put in place following pressure on the government to introduce safer electric vehicle features.

Those lobbying for change argued that the public were put at risk from the rising number of electric vehicles moving silently at low speeds.

The new regulation will come in place in July 2019 and will see all new electric and hybrid vehicles sold with noise warning systems. All other electric vehicles will require the “white noise” warning to be fitted by 2021.

Campaigners who forced the change in law said that blind people and cyclists using headphones are most at risk from the new electric vehicles.

Kevin Clinton from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said “The greatest risks associated with electric vehicles are when they are travelling at low speeds, such as in urban areas with lower limits, as the noise from tyres and the road surface, and aerodynamic noise, are minimal at those speeds,”

As Taxi trade across the UK adapts to the new electric technology could taxis receive a unique noise to alert the public, especially those visually impaired, of the taxi’s availability?

May 08, 2018 at 10:34AM https://ift.tt/2ufVjKI THESE POSTS ARE NOT OUR ENDORSEMENT