The following content has been automatically translated by close 
By Expert Author: Valerie Nay | Article Abstract Word Count: 538 words | Views: 509 view(s)
The other day, I put a scare into both myself and a driver when I almost stepped out in front of her hybrid car. She was shaken up and looked stunned that an adult would be so careless. I was just embarrassed.

But as I told a friend about it the next day, I found that it's more common than I thought. He had done the same thing a few weeks earlier. Then, someone else told me about a woman who was putting groceries in the trunk of her car and didn't even realize that a hybrid vehicle nearly backed into her!

Hybrid cars are so popular that auto manufacturers are having a hard time keeping up with the demand. The ones already on the market include Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry, Toyota Highlander, Lexus, Honda Civic, Honda Accord and the Ford Escape.

They use both gas and batteries to operate. At higher speeds, they run on gasoline just like any other car. However, at lower speeds (such as less than 20 mph), hybrids are powered by batteries. At the slower speeds, these battery-powered cars have virtually no noise compared to their motorized counterparts that have a running engine.

As great as they are for the environment, the problem is, you can't always hear them coming!

Pedestrian groups say the lack of noise poses a new hazard to people,especially those who are blind or don't hear very well. While these groups are still in favor of the benefits that hybrid cars offer - a cleaner, greener environment and less noise pollution - they say these new safety concerns need to be addressed and are working with manufacturers to come up with solutions.

Meanwhile, it's up to us.Both drivers of hybrid cars and pedestrians need to be reminded that things are a little different than they used to be.

* Whether you are driving or walking - Be aware of what's going on around you and never make someone else responsible for your safety!

* Remember and practice proper safety measures when crossing the street. Use crosswalks, look both ways, and don't walk out from between cars.

* Be extra alert if you are talking on your cell phone or having a heated conversation.

* Be clearly visible to the driver. Make sure they see you. Crossing the street from between two parked cars makes it difficult and is extra risky. That goes double if it's after dark.

* Look for signals on automobiles that can tell you they are in operation. Look for reverse lights. Look for headlights. Cars manufactured within the last few years come with daytime running lights. If the lights are on, that can be a signal that the driver is getting ready to pull out.

* Always make sure you have emergency contact information with you, whether you're driving or walking.

Hybrid cars are here to stay and lots of us like that idea, but everyone needs to take extra precautions to safeguard themselves as pedestrians. If you driv one yourself, just remember pedestrians can't necessarily hear you coming, so be extra alert when they are present.
Valerie Nay

About the Author/Author Bio

Valerie Nay is the founder of Emergency Contacts and writes a free monthly newsletter full of valuable information to help you and your family stay safe.

Article Source: http://www.ro.articlesphere.com/Article/Pedestrians-and-Dangers-from-Hybrid-Vehicles/116001

Article Submitted: 2007-12-06 | This Article has been viewed 509 times.

Related Videos

The Ford Escape Hybrid SUV
Are Hybrid Cars Better
Learn About Hybrid Cars
Rinspeed Senso Concept Cars
The Toyota Scion FUSE Concept Car
 

More "Automotives" Related Articles

 
 

Listed below are more articles related to the above article from the "Automotives" article category.

People interested in the above article "Pedestrians and Dangers from Hybrid Vehicles" are also interested in the related articles listed below:

 
Cavalier Taillights - Great Value For Your Money
There is not a single attribute, or for that matter even a set of a few attributes, which makes a car a success in the market. It is more complicated than that. Buyers evaluate and assess what would they get in return for the money that they would be investing in buying the car. They would be satisfied if what they acquire is commensurate with and justified by the price that they would pay. Chevrolet Cavalier has been successful in the market for a decade because the customers felt they were getting value for their money.
Tacoma Tail Lights: Add Style To Reliability
Considering it has been more than a hundred years since the car was invented one wonders how come reliability is still a selling point. Surely one would expect that after all these years of technical developments all cars would be completely reliable by now.
Miata Body Kits: Make The Road Sizzle
There are many ways to make the road sizzle. On a hot day the road sizzles all by itself. You can also make the road sizzle by driving the car very fast. But that will probably be illegal so it isn't really an option to make the road sizzle. Another option to make the road sizzle is to drive a car that has hot and sizzling style.
Sunfire Body Kits Great Style Great Value
Car manufacturers have to cater to the demands of all types of customers. There is a wide range of them. At one end of the spectrum there are buyers who want every item in their car to be outstanding. There are others who are on a budget and who are satisfied if there car has basic amenities and facilities and is safe. Manufacturers meet their demand as well.
4 Runner headlights: Make The Tough Look Stylish
It is only those vehicles that are truly tough and rugged that are able to sustain a tough and rugged image for a long period of time. If a vehicle looks tough and but fails to perform in challenging conditions the tough looks quickly go away and the vehicle in spite of the tough styling looks weak and unreliable.
Del Sol Headlights: Bring Back The Excitement
Why is it that there is more perceived excitement in a new car and not so much in an old car? Surely some of the new cars will turn out to be dull performers and some old cars still have a lot of zing left.
Grand Prix Tail Lights For Safety And Looks
Pontiac Grand Prix has been known all along as a luxury car. What are the attributes of a luxury car? These are large size, powerful engine, grand looks, high on style and interiors. Large size is, however, a vague term. It is not that larger it is it will qualify to be more luxurious. It has got to be of a convenient size that is also easy to handle.
 
Article Directory Home All Categories Automotives
 
 

Can't find what you're looking for? Try Google Search!
 
Copyright © 2005 - by Larry Lim, Singapore - Article Search Engine Directory at ArticleSphere.com™
All Rights Reserved Worldwide. All Trademarks and Servicemarks are the property of the respective owners.

Afrikaans Albanian Arabic Belarusian Bulgarian Catalan Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Traditional) Croatian Czech Danish German English Estonian Filipino Finnish French Galician Greek Hebrew Hindi Hungarian Icelandic Indonesian Irish Italiano Japanese Korean Latvian Lithuanian Macedonian Malay Maltese Dutch Norwegian Persian Polish Portuguese Romanian Russian Serbian Slovak Slovenian Spanish Swahili Swedish Thai Turkish Ukrainian Vietnamese Welsh Yiddish