Are hybrids dangerous to the blind?

Although hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM) Prius are all the rage among the eco-happy jetset (hybridset?) these days, they're getting some legit flak from those who don't even drive: blind people. The problem? The virtually noiseless hybrid cars run on electric power that can't be detected by those who use their ears to determine if it's safe to cross the street or walk through a parking lot.

Hybrids are so quiet because they shut off their internal combustion engines at city speeds as the electric motor takes over. While this feature is probably admired by those who oppose noise pollution, it can wreak havoc for the blind. So what to do?

For starters, the blind are advocating that while hybrid cars are great for the environment, they need to make some noise, if only a little. In fact, the National Federation for the Blind is asking for a minimum noise level output for hybrid vehicles. Toyota is said to be studying the issue internally, but the automaker did state that one of the features of its hybrids is a lack of noise pollution along with the lack of air pollution.

I suspect that if there is a delicate balance to be found here, it won't be found soon.