Hybrid Cars Will Kill Your Kids

re: Hybrid Cars Will Kill Your Kids

Surfer Jay — Tue, 13 May 2008 02:52:43 GMT

Look both ways. Perhaps we need to better enforce that unwritten law in our brave new world of hybrids.

re: Hybrid Cars Will Kill Your Kids

Alana — Mon, 12 May 2008 22:17:45 GMT

I thought this bit was going to be about the entirely plastic interior off gassing terrible chemicals into your child's body...My Prius is two years old and STILL has that 'new car smell'

re: Hybrid Cars Will Kill Your Kids

DCMama — Mon, 12 May 2008 19:31:33 GMT

Bells on the car, like we put on cats to protect the birds?

re: Hybrid Cars Will Kill Your Kids

Kim — Mon, 12 May 2008 18:52:28 GMT

Lucky that Owen was OK! The mom's concern about the car is misplaced. The driver is at fault, not the car.

I've been driving a Prius for a year, and have noticed the "stealth" factor with pedestrians of all ages. But I got used to it pretty fast. Whenever I'm driving very slowly, like in a driveway or parking lot, the car is eerily silent, but it's pretty obvious who is aware of me and who isn't. Still, it's not that different from being a careful driver in any other car. You can never assume someone is paying attention or even that they hear you. I think that's what the horn is for.

That said, I do worry about people who rent or borrow these cars. They might not be prepared to compensate for the stealth factor.

re: Hybrid Cars Will Kill Your Kids

Kaz — Mon, 12 May 2008 18:12:48 GMT

Or, another solution might be for car drivers and kids to, you know, pay attention.