Via Megan McArdle comes this news story, in which we learn that blind people are having trouble hearing hybrid cars coming:

The National Federation of the Blind, an advocacy group, says all hybrid vehicles should emit a sound while turned on and is calling on the auto industry to make changes. The group says the sound should be loud enough to be heard over the din of other ambient noise.

What strikes me, though, is the take of the typical smug, holier-than-thou environmentalist on such issues. Seve MacPete (I kid you not, that is his name) sniffs:

And if you could say anything about hybrid drivers, they are more aware of their surroundings than other drivers.

Ooh hoo, Mister MacPete, aren't you special. So unique. So aware. So much more attentive to the blind pedestrian, while the rest of us are too busy destroying the earth to be bothered with such things. Dude, get over yourself, driving a hybrid doesn't make you a better driver. And for the record, that blind pedestrian is emitting far less carbon dioxide on foot than you are in your little econo-box hybrid.