Okay, here’s a free-bee to the auto industry and safety folk:
Combined automobile horn and high-beam flashing device.
I remember reading about complaints on hybrid vehicles (i.e., Toyota Prius) being particularly dangerous to blind people. Turns out that hybrid vehicles are much quieter than regular cars, and thus a silent danger to the visually impaired. There was (maybe still is) debate about putting noise-making devices on hybrid vehicles.
This is probably not P.C. of me (I’m a Mac!), but silence is golden. And I’ve found the urban rumble from buses (which I ride daily) and the subway/commuter train (which I used to ride daily) cause noticeable stress. But that’s a post for another time…
Back to the “Invent this free-bee”:
Auto manufacturers could easily link the horn mechanism with the high-beams to simultaneously honk and flash. Those with disabilities may benefit from the dual-mode alert system (DMAS, as every good technology requires a meaningless acronym).
This invention is free to use: no license fee necessary, just for societal good. Volvo, show your leadership here. BTW: I love the new C30.
