Hybrid Cars More Dangerous to Pedestrians and Cyclists

Straight Outta Suburbia focuses on a new report [PDF] from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration which found that hybrid vehicles were involved in “significantly” more collisions than vehicles with internal combustion engines, under certain circumstances. Some car companies, including Nissan, have begun seeking engineering solutions to the problem, including innovations like an artificial sound system. But better planning for less car dependent cities is the safest solution, the blog notes. “It’s very difficult to get a handle on the problems caused by cars just by trying to improve the cars themselves. One solution (hybrid drive train) can create another problem (higher pedestrian and cyclist risk).”

Found via Streetsblog.netoldId.20110214154215726