Car accident news
13/05/2009
Electric vehicle car crash concerns

The growing popularity of electric cars coupled with the relative silence at which these vehicles run has led to concerns, with both The Times and The Economist running stories on the issue recently, that there could soon be an increase in the number of pedestrians and cyclists that suffer car accident injuries.

This is because it can be very difficult to hear the approach of an electric car, particularly when they are running at speeds below 20mph.

Scientists at the University of California have recently confirmed this electric car-specific car accident risk, however it is believed that at speeds above 20mph audibility is improved, making these vehicles less of a threat at higher speeds.

Although, as yet, there is no UK legislation requiring minimum levels of audibility for road-going vehicles, it is anticipated that lawmakers here will soon follow the lead of American Congress and introduce such a bill to parliament.

No win, no fee solicitors have speculated that failure to do so could potentially lead to any pedestrian who suffers personal injury in a "stealth" car accident making a successful compensation claim.