Electric and hybrid cars are dangerous and should make a noise when approaching, says Vision Australia as it reveals 35 per cent of blind and vision-impaired pedestrians in Australia have had a collision or near collision with the vehicles.
The call comes hard on the heels of news – which we reported last week – that Jaguar’s all-electric iPace is fitted with a noise device which operates up to 20km/h to alert pedestrians it is near.
The European Union and USA have put noise regulations – in this case they want some noise from cars – in place or planned soon, and Australia is alone among first-world countries in having no regulations.
A report by Vision Australia and Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) reveals 35 per cent of people who are blind or have low vision surveyed had either had a collision or near-collision with an electric or hybrid vehicle.
Each year, it is estimated the number of electric vehicles purchased will grow and by 2050 they will make up 90 per cent of the entire vehicle fleet, says the report.
Vision Australia general manager government relations and advocacy Karen Knight said pedestrians who are blind or have low vision rely more heavily on other sensory systems such as hearing and touch.
“While there are many advantages of electric cars, the quiet engines make it incredibly difficult to hear them coming especially when they’re travelling at low speeds,” Knight says.
“This can be a real problem in car parks and near driveways, and is a major concern for distracted pedestrians, children, the elderly and people who are blind or have low vision.”
The majority of incidents reported by survey participants happened in places where pedestrians have right of way, for example pedestrian crossings and walking along footpaths.
MUARC research fellow Dr Sara Liu said people with disabilities can be disadvantaged in the community, and in a car-centric country such as Australia, pedestrians who are blind or have low vision are particularly vulnerable on the road network in any case.
“Our research has highlighted that the risk of incidents between electric and hybrid vehicles is likely to increase unless measures are taken to protect vulnerable road users,” Dr Liu said.
“With the number of electric vehicles globally and in Australia projected to increase, with cumulative estimates of more than 500 million electric vehicles sold globally by 2040, it’s important to do something now.”
Vision Australia client Donna Dyson has lost three white canes to near-collisions with vehicles and cyclists.
“As an inner city resident, my mobility is dependent upon walking and public transport,” Donna said.
“It is challenging when cars with silent engines have failed to stop or reversed around crossings and car parks. This has resulted in collisions with my cane, and significantly impacts my confidence to travel independently. This is directly exacerbated by the increase of electric and hybrid cars.
“The community need to look out for each other by ensuring every pedestrian in their immediate path is safe. The blind community rely upon the public to give way and look out for their white canes and dog guides to ensure they are safe.
“This of course will benefit many wider community members such as the aged and the very young around vehicles.”
While the number of electric vehicles currently in Australia is low compared to many other countries, MUARC believe “it is inevitable that the number of these vehicles will grow rapidly to become the dominant vehicle type”.
Ms Knight said Vision Australia is urging the Australian Government to harmonise vehicle safety standards with other first world countries and ensure an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) is fitted to all hybrid and electric vehicles.
“The AVAS would require an electric or hybrid vehicle to make a noise when travelling up to and include 20km/h, while travelling forward or in reverse,” she said.
“Regulatory authorities in the US and Europe moved quickly with regulations on minimum noise standards for electric and hybrid vehicles and we believe now is the time for Australia to follow suit.”
Tony Bosworth writes for www.TheDriven.io and RenewEconomy.com.au. He has 35 years experience in journalism, and has been instrumental in launching and editing several automotive magazines including Which Car? magazine in the UK.