Are Hybrid Cars Dangerous?
With the advent of hybrid car technology becoming ever more commonplace on our roads, it's only natural to ask questions about these cars. They're mostly very safe, but there are a few concerns you may have about them. As with any other car, there are some precautions you should take to make your experience as safe as possible.
Other People Are Reading
-
Do hybrid cars endanger the blind?
-
A big concern with hybrid cars is the relatively low levels of noise they put out. Since blind people often navigate using their other senses, especially hearing, this can be a problem. Solutions include being more aware of your surroundings as you drive your hybrid car, to make sure that you don't accidentally mow down any pedestrians---blind or otherwise. The Japanese government, in conjunction with Japanese automakers, is currently investigating the possibilities of installing devices to make noise as hybrid cars drive along, alerting blind people that a potential hazard is near. See Resources for more information on this topic.
Can hybrid cars electrocute emergency responders?
-
Since they're at least partially powered using electricity, you may be concerned about what will happen in the event of a crash. Will emergency responders be able to safely rescue you if the worst happens? The fact is, several precautionary safety systems are in place that disallow high voltage from running through the chassis of your hybrid car. Both you and any emergency responders who are trying to rescue you should safely be able to touch your car, with no ill effects. Additionally, hybrid car manufacturers are coloring all high-voltage lines within your car's engine compartment orange, so they're easily identifiable.
-
Are hybrid cars dangerous to people with defibrillators and pacemakers?
-
While it's true that electromagnetic fields can pose a special danger to those with defibrillators and pacemakers installed, driving hybrid cars shouldn't be a problem. However, people with those conditions should probably not attempt to do their own engine maintenance, and should instead trust the care of their car to professionals. Direct exposure (such as standing right over your engine) may cause harm to those with defibrillators and pacemakers, and you don't want to take that risk.
What about prolonged electromagnetic field exposure?
-
Electromagnetic fields, or EMFs, are all around us every day. From power lines to microwaves, from power stations to all the electronic devices (such as your computer) you use on a daily basis---they're everywhere. While some hybrid car owners have reported falling ill after purchasing their hybrid cars, it's important not to jump to any conclusions either way. Not enough research exists yet to say whether or not the EMFs generated by hybrid cars are truly dangerous.
What about the dangers posed by hybrid car batteries to the environment?
-
As a concerned citizen, you're probably worried about batteries rotting away in a landfill somewhere. Since hybrid car batteries are essentially just larger versions of the AA and AAA batteries you commonly use in remote controls and other devices around your home, it's understandable. However, you should know that lead batteries are the ones that cause the most damage to our environment. As of September 2009, most hybrid car manufacturers are using nickel-metal hydride (or NiMH) batteries in their cars, which are significantly less environmentally damaging. Both types of batteries can---and should---be recycled. This part, therefore, is only as dangerous as you let it be. Make sure to recycle all your batteries---including those from your hybrid car.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit dantada: Morguefile
