Hybrid Vehicles Less Prone to Accidents

According to a new study from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), the extra weight hybrid vehicles carry around because of their battery makes them safer. In fact, the study found that the odds of being injured in a crash are 25 percent lower for people in hybrids, when compared to conventional fuel models.

HLDI claims batteries make hybrid vehicles 10 percent heavier than conventional counterparts. But while the weight electric batteries may allow the vehicle to slow down faster, they also have a quieting effect.

The study found that hybrids may be as much as 20 percent more likely to be involved in pedestrian accidents because of the lack of engine noise when running on electricity.

In an attempt to remedy this, within the last year Congress has given the Highway Traffic Safety Administration three years to develop a requirement for hybrid and electric models to be equipped with sounds to alert unsuspecting pedestrians.