Traffic Lawyer, Nick Freeman has said that whilst manufacturers of battery-powered vehicles go to great lengths to ensure the safety of the driver and passengers, they also have a legal responsibility to all other road users, and in particular those with sight and hearing impairments.
Freeman, who is also known as the ‘loophole lawyer’, explained that the addition of sound to a ‘silent’ vehicle would reduce the chance of a collision with cyclists and pedestrians.
Freeman said: “Research has shown that quiet hybrid/electrical vehicles are 40 per cent more likely to collide with pedestrians than cars with a combustion engine.
“Why? Because the combustion engine announces its presence by making a noise.
“It is a responsibility of car manufacturers to make their vehicles safer, which includes ensuring their vehicles are both seen and heard.”
Freeman is known for defending celebrities including comedian Jimmy Carr, golfer Colin Montgomerie and footballer David Beckham in traffic cases.