Emergency Vehicle Alert System for Deaf Drivers
Back in the late 80s, I was riding with a deaf friend in his brother’s car – a Pontiac Fiero. Among the accessories in this car is a small rectangle device resting on top of his dashboard. This device, plugged into the cigarette lighter outlet, was meant to flash red anytime an emergency vehicle is nearby.
I have not seen this type of device anywhere since then, despite the obvious value of notifying deaf drivers, especially in a busy community, or areas with blind spots. I could recount the several near encounters I have with emergency vehicles that seemily popped out of nowhere despite my eternal viligeance.
Searching the net, I believe I found this device, which has been discontinued (not made anymore): ESP EXTERNAL SENSORY PROTECTOR or CAR-ALERT (MODEL H-108)
There is a company that holds a 2002 patent on an inclusive Emergency Vehicle Alert System (EVAS) which requires a transmitter to be placed in an emergency vehicle, and a receiver within the vehicle and communicate via “DC Voltage signals”.
This is not an all-inclusive solution, and requires a sender and receiver — a difficult solution when budgets are tight in communities around the country and the world. What I would strongly prefer is a device that listen for audio cues, and translate it into certain signals (including possibly the direction the sound is coming from), so that deaf drivers would be better prepared for any potential surprise around the curve/buildings.
So I am turning to you, my audience: Do you have something like this? Are you aware of anyone who is making a self-contained EVAS?
The problem with these devices is that they are illegal for civilians’ uses in many provinces and states.
I can see how it would be a helpful tool even to the hearing drivers.
You can try to go this website and see if this is what you are looking for… and contact them about it. Website is: http://www.traffic-safety-technologies.com/problem.htm . Hope this helps.
I have seen this web site, but is having difficulty contacting them, much less find out what the pricing is on their “solution”. Once I get some details, I will let everyone know. Any other solutions?
Hey,
I do need that kind of device because I see ambulance and/or fire trucks all over the place. Sometimes, I didn’t realize they were right around the corner, I couldn’t hear or see it. We should contact the manufacturer and ask them to make more for the deaf drivers.
A very close friend and her ride were hit by a fire engine that sped out from behind a building at a corner.
Since both were deaf, it made the headlines: “DEAF DRIVER HIT BY FIRE TRUCK; COULD NOT HEAR SIREN” Actually, witnesses at the scene said there was no siren heard.
Nevertheless, it could not have made it easier for deaf drivers to keep the respect of the public.
I thought it is good idea. but I was not able to open the website.
I need it because I almost hit fire truck during day time. I have hard time hear it. my daughter always turn the music loud. They did not warned me. It is really annoyed me about situation. I almost hit .. I was scared afterward.
I have had three close calls from Emergency vehicles just out of the blue to a point I must do something about it. Is there such a radar detector device? I just bought a Cobra radar detector from Radio Shack but there are many features, most of those I don’t need hence confusing. I am hesitant about keeping it. Please let me know if there is sucn. Thanks.