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from the fake-engine-noises-FTW-Vrrrm-Vrrrm! dept.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said the rule was needed because battery-powered vehicles are very quiet.
It said the rule would particularly help blind pedestrians, or those with a visual impairment, detect electric cars and hybrids on the road.
The new safety rule could help prevent 2,400 injuries a year, said the NHTSA.
The rule demands that the cars make a noise when travelling either forwards or backwards at speeds of less than 30kmh (19mph). The regulation covers vehicles with four wheels that weigh less than 10,000 pounds (4.5 tonnes).
The safety specification requires car makers to use a two-tone signal similar to that currently emitted by heavy vehicles when they are reversing.
It would be more fun if drivers could customize what that sound is, such as "La Cucaracha" or the whine of a Shadow vessel.
Electric and hybrid cars are to include a noise generation device for travel at low speeds with no internal combustion engine: http://www.nhtsa.gov/About-NHTSA/Press-Releases/nhtsa_quiet_car_final_rule_11142016.
There goes my quiet electric future.
(Score: 4, Funny) by kurenai.tsubasa on Wednesday November 16 2016, @03:55PM
I want mine to sound like a pony!
(Score: 5, Insightful) by deadstick on Wednesday November 16 2016, @03:58PM
I want a Jake brake sound.
(Score: 3, Funny) by kurenai.tsubasa on Wednesday November 16 2016, @04:03PM
Ok, pony sounds when moving at a constant speed or accelerating, jake brake when the regenerative braking kicks in!
(Score: 2) by Scruffy Beard 2 on Wednesday November 16 2016, @04:04PM
Where are my mod points? (Yes!)
(Score: 2, Interesting) by anubi on Thursday November 17 2016, @06:36AM
I have often thought of a sound effect of badly failing brakes for those clowns who step right out onto the road without looking or open car doors right into traffic.
Make it sound like they almost got creamed.
Let them clean their own trousers out after what gave all sounds of being a near-miss.
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]
(Score: 2) by Pino P on Wednesday November 16 2016, @05:13PM
Has Jacobs Vehicle Systems [jacobsvehiclesystems.com] trademarked the sound of the Jake brake the way Harley-Davidson tried to trademark its motorcycles' "potato potato" sound [latimes.com]?
(Score: 3, Funny) by SomeGuy on Wednesday November 16 2016, @05:41PM
Or how about the sound that the flying "cars" made in The Jetsons?
(Score: 3, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 16 2016, @07:13PM
I hear they sell coconuts, just hire an intern to hold them out the window and knock them together :)
(Score: 3, Interesting) by DannyB on Wednesday November 16 2016, @08:16PM
If the sound can be customizable, then how about a computer voice warning:
Caution! The NTSB wants to discourage the use of electric vehicles.
Caution! The NTSB wants to discourage the use of electric vehicles.
Caution! The NTSB wants to discourage the use of electric vehicles.
Repeated at intervals as the EV is in motion at slow speeds.
The lower I set my standards the more accomplishments I have.
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Wednesday November 16 2016, @08:19PM
Ugh! Meant to say: NHTSA
The lower I set my standards the more accomplishments I have.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 16 2016, @08:42PM
I vote for the clip-clop sound of two coconut halves, Monty Python-fashion.