Those addicted to the comical Showtime series Weeds will recall a scene in which the gangster named "U-turn" purchases a fleet of hybrid-electric Toyota Priuses so he could use their stealth for drive-by shootings in South L.A.  But the dark comedy in the vehicle's quiet ways is no laughing matter for some California state legislators who worry these types of cars are too dangerous for blind people.

State Senator Alan Lowenthal, a Democrat from Long Beach, CA, is trying to enact a bill aimed at making these four-wheeled eco-saviors louder.  Lowenthal believes that at present, the cars don't make enough noise to be heard by the blind and visually impaired as they are trying to cross the street. 

Unfortunately, there's no data to support or reject Lowenthals claims that hybrid drivers are a menace to the visually impaired as state traffic officials don't keep statistics on pedestrian accidents involving hybrid or electric vehicles. But anecdotal evidence is easy to find. Just ask anyone with a stalking X-girlfriend how many times a night he sees rather than hears that Prius drive by his house.

To gain some perspective, the state Senate approved a bill this week to study the issue and recommend ways to make the hybrids louder. Of course, anyone who has taken physics might recall that noise is an indicator of inefficiency and energy use. So the more noise an engine makes, the less efficient it is. Sorry Harley lovers. 

It's conceivable some sort of small, whistling device run by wind streaming through it (think deer alerts) could be installed on the vehicles to give them a noise. Surely that would make them even more beloved by SUV drivers than they are today. The question is whether owners or car manufacturers will end up burdened with the extra cost of a new contraption. Given the state's legislative history, car manufactures would be the safer bet.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has not yet taken a position on the bill which awaits his signature. Whatever the decision, it's likely other states will follow California's lead. In the meantime, hybrid and electric car drivers should impose the other safety precaution for dealing with their silent rides: trying not to run over any blind people.


Also Interesting:

The parking ticket that turned one man homeless
Greening the Gov: Oregon greening its highways
New law attempting to censor Internet use
Denver passes ordinance to keep illegal aliens from driving
South Dakota to hold vote on abortion ban