Silent but deadly
I am greatly amused by unexpected policy decisions that come out of scientific and technological progress. Take cars, for example. When the first motorized carriage was invented, neither the inventor nor those around him could possibly imagine the maze of laws and policies that surround automobiles. Traffic laws, environmental issues, taxation on gasoline, road maintenance and bailout money for poorly run carmakers barely scratch the surface of government policies that are strongly influenced by this invention.
Cars, in this sense, are completely fascinating. And they continue to surprise.
The latest surprise on the car block can be found in the electric automobile. Electric engines are much quieter than their gasoline brethren. So much so, in fact, that they pose a risk to pedestrians who are accustomed to gasoline-engine cars. We depend so much on our hearing to identify approaching cars that the silent engines are not just silent, but also deadly. The problem, unsurprisingly, is even more pronounced amongst the blind.
Now researchers are trying different noise-making solutions. The aim is not to recreate the noise of the classic automobile, but to create enough noise to maintain pedestrian safety while minimizing the noise pollution.
An unexpected — but interesting — problem. Tomorrow’s laws might enact both minimum and maximum volume rules upon your next car.
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