Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act Made Law by President Obama
President Obama has signed into a law the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act (S. 841), that will require those quiet electric cars to be more audible to pedestrians, according to a report on cnet. Vehicles such as the Chevy Volt, will have a pedestrian alert sound so the silent electric cars are not invisible to the deaf and blind. Even pedestrians with all of their senses have occasionally been frightened by the silent vehicles.
The bill was sponsored by Senator John Kerry along with 29 others. The new law brings together the interests of blind Americans, auto makers, and legislators. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will craft the standards for the alert sound.
Not waiting, General Motors had added a driver activated alert to the Chevy Volt, and Toyota has added a sound to the Prius. Nissan plans to add sounds to its electrical vehicle, the Leaf.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports there were 482 pedestrians injured in Florida in 2009, and 7,676 pedestrians injured. Since the state does not break down statistics concerning accidents with electric vehicles, we do not know how often they were involved in pedestrian crashes. Nationwide, about a dozen people die every day when a pedestrian and motor vehicle collide, according to federal statistics.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident involving a negligent driver, you would be well advised to contact an experienced Florida pedestrian accident attorney to help you receive what compensation you deserve in order to get back on your feet.
