Hybrid cars, a problem for the visually impaired

Hybrid vehicles are saving people money at the pump, but could there be a downside to the technology? The hybrid engines run much more quietly than traditional engines, and for people who rely heavily on their sense of hearing, they may not know a car is coming.

At First Lutheran Church in Little Rock Tuesday, those who are blind or visually impaired will be able to ask questions and hear the seemingly quiet cars. (Teresa Mays, Arkansas School for the Blind) "Encourage clients to listen to the traffic so they know when the surge begins so they know when the safe time is to cross the street, especially a heavily traversed intersection."

The visually impaired community is concerned some hybrid cars are causing a more dangerous situation because it’s more difficult to hear the cars…and hearing is critical to them. (Mays) "It’s difficult with some vehicles, not even just hybrids, to determine when to cross the street." So to try to make it easier, Landers Toyota is making hybrids available for the blind to listen too and ask questions. (Mays) "It definitely could have an impact on teaching street crossings. If every car here were silent, we'd have a hard time."