The United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration passed a new rule on Monday that requires new hybrid and electric cars to make noise when they are travelling at low speeds. The new rule was passed in order for pedestrians, especially those with poor eyesight, to hear the cars that are coming.

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Hybrid vehicles use a combination of gasoline-powered engine and an electric motor. However, when hybrid cars use the electric motor instead of the gas engine, cars tend to make very little noise. The new rule requires both hybrid and electric cars to make audible noises when travelling at about 19mph. The sound alert is required when travelling forward or in reverse.

According to CNet, the new rule has been approved since Congress passed the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act back in 2010. However, the legislative body kept pushing the deadline of implementation due to several reasons and that has delayed it.

In a statement acquired by The Washington Post, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said, "We all depend on our senses to alert us to possible danger. With more, quieter hybrid and electrical cars on the road, the ability for all pedestrians to hear as well as see the cars becomes an important factor of reducing the risk of possible crashes and improving safety."

Car manufacturers have until Sept. 1, 2019 to install sound emitting devices to new all new hybrid and electric vehicles. The federal government will also release a set of requirements that these devices should follow in order to meet the new safety standard.

Tagscar, hybrid car, Electric Car, car regulation, car noise, NHTSA, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration