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Original poster

I nearly got run over by a fucking hybrid car

137 replies

Rapidmama · 26/08/2019 22:35

The bloody bastard things don’t make ANY noise.

Camping this weekend, no cars on site so I wasn’t expecting to see one. Walked out between two lines of tents and the fucking thing was almost on top of me. Stupid woman driving it could barely see over the steering wheel and carried on driving. I jumped back out of the way and banged on the bonnet. She drove for about 10 meters before another camper stopped her and said WTF you nearly ran her over. She was completely non plussed. Any normal car I would have heard coming.

How the hell do blind people cross the road when one of these things could be on top of them ffs?!

OP posts:
Reluctantbettlynch · 26/08/2019 22:40

I've been really worried about this, anyone with diminished eyesight, animals, and children who need every chance to know a vehicle is near are compromised by these. I think they are very dangerous, and have no idea why this wasn't considered in the planning stages.

Finfintytint · 26/08/2019 22:40

I think in the coming year or so electric cars will have to emit a noise to alert you of their presence.
To be fair a silent cyclist could also do you damage so there is some responsibility with you to look.

SuperSange · 26/08/2019 22:41

I saw one for the first time last week and was horrified by how quiet it was. I think it's really dangerous.

CherryPavlova · 26/08/2019 22:41

Yes. My husband drives a hybrid and it is difficult to hear them - both a benefit and a disadvantage.

Backtothenewme · 26/08/2019 22:44

I drive an all electric car. It's lovely to drive but I do have to be mindful that it is super quiet...

userxx · 26/08/2019 22:44

Not a fan of them either. Why was she driving on a campsite!

CatherineOfAragonsPrayerBook · 26/08/2019 22:52

Nearly been run over in London twice. You really have to look and double look.

SlurplePurple · 26/08/2019 22:53

Blind person here. There aren’t too many electric cars in my area but yes they are a problem when trying to cross roads. Cyclists are too and there’s lots of them here. I try to only use designated crossings for busier roads and thankfully have avoided any major accidents so far.
I have had a few collisions with cyclists on shared paths though.

NoddyAndBessie · 26/08/2019 22:53

How the fuck do you think they get the caravan/trailer on the campsite?

More to the point, "wasn't it look left, look righy and look left again", not "cock an ear to see if owt is coming"?

origamiunicorn · 26/08/2019 22:54

Sounds like she was the problem here but I do agree they are so quiet! (Think it would be lovely if all roads were noise free and peaceful but it's the safety aspect)

Preggosaurus9 · 26/08/2019 22:56

Apparently in California they are fitted with noisemakers for this exact reason. Told by a friend so don't know how accurate that fact is!

CatherineOfAragonsPrayerBook · 26/08/2019 22:58

What I find lethal is these cycling lanes that run paralell to the pavement but just in front of a crossing bay or zebra crossing or traffic lights. I was in East london, pressed the traffic light and stepped off the pavement to cross only to narrow miss being run over by a whizzing cyclist. The lanes are not always obvious especially when its dark.

thaegumathteth · 26/08/2019 23:02

My friends little girl was run over by one for this very reason. It's certainly made all the kids stop look and listen to be sure now.

(She's fine now but badly damaged her leg at the time)

CatherineOfAragonsPrayerBook · 26/08/2019 23:05

They need an updated green cross code campaign.

TheCatsACunt · 26/08/2019 23:06

I have a hybrid and this really annoys me. A few times recently, I’ve been on quiet, narrow roads where people have been walking dogs and have been in the middle of the single-lane road rather than pressed against the hedge/ditch. My car is completely silent under something like 15km/h so, if I drive up behind them, they can’t hear me at all. I don’t like hooting as that would feel very rude so I tend to just quietly cruise along behind them u til they notice me or the road widens to two lanes so I can get past.

Original poster
Rapidmama · 26/08/2019 23:13

@NoddyAndBessie, I think you’d be surprised how much we use our hearing subconsciously, especially when you don’t expect to see a car.

And you have to walk your stuff into the field, it’s vehicle free. Another fact which seemed to have escaped this woman

OP posts:
pastaparadise · 26/08/2019 23:15

I have a hybrid and love the silent whoosh on low speeds. I can see you'd miss it if you're on a campsite, and sounds like she might anticipate this and go slowly, but it is stop, LOOK and listen. Not safe to just rely on hearing alone any more

Nonstopbuttmachine · 26/08/2019 23:15

They're a nightmare! Everywhere in Budapest and you couldn't hear them behind you!

TimeWastingButFun · 26/08/2019 23:19

No cars as in they are not allowed? (how do people get their caravans on an off though?) If so, then she was wrong to be there, of course. We've been test driving all electric cars recently with a view to getting one soon and they are completely silent, so weird! Not a problem for people with sight as obviously they need to look as well as listen but I was wondering how blind people cope. I am really looking forward to quiet roads though. I guess only crossing at designated crossings (ie having more of them when electric cars become mainstream) is key.

UrsulaPandress · 26/08/2019 23:19

As a horse rider I think they are an absolute liability.

Our neighbour has one. His house is accessed along our drive and he uses it on electric mode to traverse the drive. Gives me the rage as I can't hear it and worry the dog won't either.

compulsiveliar2019 · 26/08/2019 23:21

As a horse rider I feel they are really dangerous especially when coming from behind. Even if I am aware it's coming it's equally important that my horse does to. Riding on the roads is dangerous enough without not being able to hear the cars. Drivers hooting the horn would just make things even worse. Would welcome them making some noise.

ILoveJoeBrown · 26/08/2019 23:23

I have a hybrid - with VESS (?) So that it makes a noise like a normal car.

MoreSlidingDoors · 26/08/2019 23:23

There should be speakers on the outsides.

Not just for safety purposes. But imagine a Nissan Leaf that sounded like a Ferrari.

DontCallMeShitley · 26/08/2019 23:25

We have a Phev and I have noticed that pigeons in the road don't move until you are almost on top of them, and people glare at us when they jaywalk and find they have almost committed suicide.

It does make a noise, a funny little squeaky sound but is clearly not loud enough. It worries me, not for the idiots that are too busy on their phones to look before they cross but for blind and deaf people and animals, and anyone that is at a disadvantage in some way.

I was taught to look before crossing a road, and I still do it, but so many people just walk out without looking, engrossed in whatever they are listening to or messing about with texts and selfies because they are just unaware of their surroundings. There is a horrible YouTube of a woman on her phone walking into the path of traffic, completely engrossed in what she is looking at. The cars are not silent in that.

The cars need sound.

Original poster
Rapidmama · 26/08/2019 23:28

Was there ever a statement that said “I’m alright jack” like people saying they enjoy how silent their cars are Wink

OP posts: