Guide Dogs Queensland welcomes study on safety of hybrid cars

20 May 2010

Guide Dogs Queensland has welcomed RACQ’s testing of hybrid vehicles in a bid to determine whether they are a threat to the safety of people who are blind or vision impaired.

GDQ is providing two volunteers who are blind to take part in a study conducted by the RACQ this month.

GDQ Chief Executive Officer Chris Laine said the low noise level of hybrid cars was a topical subject among service providers to the blind and vision impaired community around the world.

“Hybrid cars are quieter than standard vehicles when in motion and we do have concerns that pedestrians who are blind will not hear them approaching until it’s too late,” Ms Laine said.

“This study will hopefully provide some evidence as to whether they can still be heard by pedestrians or if they are indeed a potential danger,” she said.

Ms Laine said RACQ had requested the participation of two volunteers from Guide Dogs Queensland for the hybrid vehicle noise testing project which would take place at Lakeside Circuit in Brisbane.

The volunteers included clients who used a Guide Dog and a White Cane.

For more information contact: Communications and Marketing Manager Donna Hurley on d.hurley@guidedogsqld.com.au