SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 64

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Eric G. Griego

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE MOTOR VEHICLE DIVISION OF THE TAXATION AND REVENUE DEPARTMENT TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE RISK OF HYBRID AND OTHER QUIET CARS TO THE BLIND AND OTHER PEDESTRIANS.

     WHEREAS, vehicles such as hybrid or electric cars that are designed to provide the desirable benefits of fuel efficiency and low pollutants often use technologies other than gasoline- powered engines; and

     WHEREAS, use of these technologies can result in a car that is much quieter than a gasoline-powered vehicle; and

     WHEREAS, hybrid cars are so quiet when operating only with their electric motors that blind people and other pedestrians may not be able to hear them; and

     WHEREAS, preliminary findings of a research project conducted at the university of California show that hybrid cars operating in electric mode must be forty percent closer to pedestrians than combustion-engine vehicles before they can be heard; and

     WHEREAS, the potential danger of hybrid, electric or other quiet cars is exacerbated in intersections and parking lots; and

     WHEREAS, not only the blind, but also other pedestrians, such as children, runners, bicyclists and the elderly, may be at greater risk due to quiet cars; and

     WHEREAS, it can be projected that quiet technology and the prevalence of hybrid, electric and other quiet cars will increase significantly in years to come; and

     WHEREAS, measures such as the addition to the vehicle of a noise-generating device could be utilized to alert blind people and other pedestrians of the approach of a hybrid or electric car in enough time to allow them to assess the proximity, speed, location and direction of the car and to avoid or remove themselves from danger;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the motor vehicle division of the taxation and revenue department be requested to convene a task force and provide the necessary staff support to study the risk of hybrid and other quiet cars to the blind and other pedestrians; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force include representation from the New Mexico commission for the blind, the New Mexico affiliate of the national federation of the blind, the aging and long-term services department, an individual who is certified as an orientation and mobility instructor of the blind and at least one person representing the interests of the automotive industry; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force evaluate the potential for establishment of minimum sound level standards and other measures to alert blind and other pedestrians to the danger of an approaching quiet car; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force identify and evaluate barriers to implementation, necessary regulation and the potential cost of implementing such measures; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force report its findings and recommendations to the interim legislative health and human services committee at its November 2009 meeting; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico affiliate of the national federation of the blind, the director of the New Mexico commission for the blind, the secretaries of taxation and revenue and aging and long-term services and the New Mexico automotive dealers association.

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