Dear Sir
Concerns have recently been raised that the silent operation of electric vehicles makes them a greater danger to pedestrians and other road users than those of the conventional engine driven variety. This danger can easily be overcome by adapting a device used on the original silent vehicle – I refer of course to the bell on the bicycle. I see no reason why electric vehicles cannot be fitted with bells of a kind and volume appropriate to their type. Private cars and small commercial vehicles could easily be fitted with a peal of church bells while HGVs and similar could be fitted bells of a louder variety eg like those of Big Ben. Apart from making us all safer the latter would keep a very British sound in front of the public while the original is out of operation. I feel that speed is of the essence where this matter is concerned in view of the present state of the Brexit talks and the uncertain nature of the UK’s future relationship with the EU. The idea is such an attractive one that we could easily fall defencless victims to a Brussel’s diktat enforcing the use of the glockenspiel on cars and vans and the bells of Notre Dame on lorries. From there it will only be a short step to having to accept that lorry drivers will need to produce a medical certificate proving that they have hunched backs.
Yours sincerely
A. True-Britprat (retd)
