Electric vehicles

[zoony]

Does the panel think that any and all silent vehicles, bikes, e-scooters and now cars, should have a compulsory noise so we can at least hear 'em before they put us in A&E? Please note, I said 'compulsory'..

[Michael Rolls]

yes. My hybrid emits a noise when reversing to warn people but not when going forward under electric power. Scared - not deliberately - a couple of pedestrians not paying attention and despite travelling at about 5 mph at the time, they had no idea that I was there. Do I sound my horn, risking further scaring them?
Mike

[klondike]

My son's does that already - below about 20mph it makes an odd humming noise. eScooters are worse as despite it being illegal they get ridden on the pavement and often quite fast. We have a lot here as it is one of the Voi scooter areas. They are a damned nuisance both on the pavements and the roads.

[zoony]

yes. My hybrid emits a noise when reversing to warn people but not when going forward under electric power. Scared - not deliberately - a couple of pedestrians not paying attention and despite travelling at about 5 mph at the time, they had no idea that I was there. Do I sound my horn, risking further scaring them?
Mike

As I said Mike, a COMPULSORY noise, not up to you when you think you should....which would include going forward OR backward.

[Scrumpy]

I think all silent vehicles should have some sort of warning that they are moving, either forward or reverse.
I also think the pedestrian should be more aware ..
Many 'tut tut' a moving vehicle when it is clear that they ( pedestrian) are not paying attention..


Some crap drivers out there too..Ignorant regarding people on foot..
Swings and roundabouts..

[Raven]

Then there's those people who have earphones on. They are usually away in a world of their own, wouldn't hear a horn anyway. 

[Michael Rolls]

As I said Mike, a COMPULSORY noise, not up to you when you think you should....which would include going forward OR backward.

absolutely agree - those pedestrians had no idea that I was coming up behind them, albeit very slowly
Mike

[Diasi]

Does the panel think that any and all silent vehicles, bikes, e-scooters and now cars, should have a compulsory noise so we can at least hear 'em before they put us in A&E? Please note, I said 'compulsory'..

Most definitely, we have a few electric cars on our development, including a Tesla, & it's impossible to hear them above any ambient outside sounds.

It would take total silence before they can be heard as the only noise is the sound of the tyres when the car's too close to get out of the way if the driver doesn't stop.

[Diasi]

I think all silent vehicles should have some sort of warning that they are moving, either forward or reverse.
I also think the pedestrian should be more aware ..
Many 'tut tut' a moving vehicle when it is clear that they ( pedestrian) are not paying attention..

Some crap drivers out there too..Ignorant regarding people on foot..
Swings and roundabouts..

I drive on the basis that it's my responsibilty to pay attention on behalf of the pedestrian.

I regard my driving as 10% for myself & 90% for other drivers, horse riders & pedestrians etc.

[Michael Rolls]

I drive on the basis that it's my responsibilty to pay attention on behalf of the pedestrian.

I regard my driving as 10% for myself & 90% for other drivers, horse riders & pedestrians etc.

Phil
I think that that is a very fair summation
Mike

[klondike]

It's also close to what the recent highway code changes make a requirement.

[Michael Rolls]

It's also close to what the recent highway code changes make a requirement.

Only got the code Friday and not even really skimmed through it yet, but I was surprised at the paucity of the index (again!). Electric vehicles get just two mentions in the index, neither of which covers this point, which I would like to read - can you remember the $ ref?
Mike

[klondike]

It was Phil's comment about being responsible for not running  over pedestrians and cyclist over I was referring to.

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/legal/new-highway-code-rules-what-you-need-to-know/#:~:text=Rule%20H2%20applies%20to%20drivers,from%20which%20you%20are%20turning.%E2%80%9D

The revised Highway Code came into effect from 29 January 2022, following calls to protect vulnerable road users. There are a significant number of changes but, from a driver's perspective, some of the biggest are:

1 creation of a new 'hierarchy of road users' that ensures those who can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat they may pose to others

2 clarify existing rules on pedestrian priority on pavements and when crossing the road

3 provide guidance on safe passing distances and ensuring cyclists and horse riders have priority when travelling straight ahead at junctions

[Diasi]

It's also close to what the recent highway code changes make a requirement.

I've always used that approach with other road users, I don't need a Highway Code to show me how to be a safe driver.

[-Oy-]

Those electric scooters are a menace in Cambridge. Especially for folk with poor hearing. I've nearly been mowed down a few times there.