Kieran+G's+OpEd+Article

=media type="file" key="kierang-muckraker-2011.mp3"= =The Silent Killers=

You see them driving around town, more often than not barely making a purr as they go about their business. Most of the time, you don't even realize that they're even there until they are already flashing by you. These machines have been so carefully engineered to make less sound and get higher gas mileage than regular cars. Yes, I am talking about hybrid cars, more specifically Smart Cars and Priuses.

I am expressing my discontent about their lack of noise, as it makes crossing streets extremely dangerous and unpredictable. Granted, one should always look both ways before crossing the street, but everyone knows that kids playing on their front lawn often aren't paying attention to the street. One day a kid will be playing catch with a friend and the ball will roll into the street. The child will run to pick the ball up and BAM, he just got hit by a Prius. Both parties are to blame in this scenario, the driver for owning a Prius, and the kid for not looking before he enters the road. But had the Prius made real car noises that could be heard from down the street, the kid would have heard and looked up, then being able to gauge whether it is safe to enter the road or not. The Smart Car is less dangerous, however it can still wreak pretty serious havoc (on both itself and the target) when going fast enough. Smart Cars aren't even safe for the person driving the vehicle due to its size and vulnerability to being toppled. I'm all cool with the hybrid thing, but save it for bigger cars. No one needs a bunch of dead hippies in the middle of the road because they decided to drive a ferris wheel booth-sized car.

My solution is to eradicate the Smart Car completely (that thing is NOT safe in any way, shape or form) and to install car sound features on the rest of the Hybrids. This way, gas-saving consumers get their precious mileage and the rest of society is saved from sneak attacks by ninja Priuses. Honestly, during my runs there have been multiple occasions where a Prius rounds a corner just in front of my team, and we all have to get out of the way fast. These occasions have inspired me to advocate for car sounds in Priuses. It might not even be that bad, you could make them sound like a Ferrari or a truck, given enough electricity. It would be kind fo corny to make a girly car like a Prius sound like a truck, but hey, if it keeps the streets safe, who am I to object?