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I just recently got my beginner's license (although I'm 30+ - slow starter) and while reading through the driver's manual, I noticed that legally where I'm from, when you pass someone, you're actually supposeed to give an audible "toot" when in the other car's blind spot. This, to me, sems like a very
good idea, but what about the hearing-impaired? Other than being able to hear horns, they would normally have all the physical traits necessary to drive cars, and I'm sure a great deal of them do so. But what if we added a device that allowed them awareness of horn-honking? What I propose is a set of audio sensors rigged around the car connected to an LED or LCD display, preferably on the steering column or other visible area, which not only indicates the fact that a horn was/is honking, but also the direction from which the sound comes, thus alerting the hearing-impaired driver of the imminent approach.
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Or you could flash your lights. |
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[snarfyguy]- Most people aren't polite enough to flash their lights, plus there really isn't a way of knowing whether or not the occupant is hearing-impaired. Also in the original description I mentioned that the horn is sometimes used while you're in the other driver's blind spot, in which the flashing headlights may not be seen. I thought of adding, however, a bumper sticker saying, "Car equipped with visual horn indicator". |
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Yeah. I'd also expect a hard -of- hearing person to take extra caution when checking his/her blind spot. That sounds like I'm being funny.... |
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I'm sure there are laws in most U.S. states requiring drivers to honk/flash lights when passing, but I can't remember the last time I saw it done. |
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Yes, [jutta], this is a differently-abled accessory, such as hand-operated gas & brake pedals. Needs a special permit & everything... |
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Is this a db meter hooked to a variable intensity led in the Deaf person's car? |
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I wouldn't say variable-intesity LED, but a dB-meter tuned specifically to car-horn frequencies. This idea seems bakeable, it just hasn't been done. Yet. |
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Ugh. I got PC all over me just reading that. |
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Welcome to driving, Cr0. That note about tooting at people when you're in their blind spot - if I were you I'd just skip over that. You'll probably just piss people off who don't understand why you're honking at them. |
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My home state of Missouri has that law, and when I did it during my drivers test the examiner told me not to anymore. |
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I never know who my audience is, and since this would be a product exclusively for the hearing-impaired, best to err on the side of caution. |
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Also, [ato_de], the LEDs would indicate the direction of the honking rather than intensity, maybe a set of 8 LEDs behind a plastic stylized picture of the car. Contrary to popular belief, if you press your horn harder, it does *not* honk louder... |
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The volume could give a possible indication of how far away the horn is. |
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An excelent idea. Have a croissant. |
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The sensors, calibrated for frequency, would indicate the speed also, since the Doppler shift would increase the perceived frequency of the observer (the detectors) and that may indicate perhaps a maniac blaring his horn as he's coming toward, beside, then passing you. Chances are, though, this type of driver would also be giving you visual signals, i.e. flipping the bird. |
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Firstly, if they're in your blind spot, you won't see flashing lights anyhow. Secondly, young drivers have their stereos on so loud they wouldn't hear if thay ran over a moose. |
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I thought of something similar
recently. It was after dark, and I
was refueling at a gas station. |
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This was next to some railroad
tracks. Out of nowhere a train
went by with a whistle screaming
so loud, I almost screamed myself ! |
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I was ruefully thinking that after
dark they should have strobe lights
instead of whistles. |
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This could also help drivers be alert to emergency vehicles. Pastry for you. |
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