> Here's a perfect example of the law of unintended consequences. There are going to be more "oops" moments cropping up as hybrids become more popular--for example, safety concerns for paramedics, such as battery acid.

There are also higher voltages in those vehicles that might cause problems for emergency personel.

When you get to the end of that article, there is a mention of pedestrians who have their ears plugged so they can listen to music. They can hear a hybrid car coming as well as they can hear any other car, which is to say, not-at-all.

I recently saw a jogger who was jogging right on the white line on the right side of the road with plugs in both ears. How can anybody be that stupid? It was a narrow two lane with moderate traffic and lots of hills and curves.

I am considering a Prius for my next car, and plan to put some kind of backup alarm on it. I don't think I need something as loud as a garbage truck, but a polite little ding ding as I back out of a parking space might prevent an injury to some Wal-Mart shopper. I already use my four-way flashers when I back up, partly because I am always parked between an SUV and a minivan. I back up at glacial speed.
Howard