It happened again. I was recently walking through a parking lot, paying attention to the vehicles around me, when suddenly an electric vehicle was right behind me. I hadn’t heard it approaching. There was no familiar engine noise warning me that a vehicle was moving in my direction. The hair stood up on the back of my neck. For a split second, I felt that overwhelming sense of fear that so many crash survivors know all too well. My heart raced as I quickly moved out of the way. It wasn’t because the driver had done anything wrong. It was because I never heard the vehicle coming.
A Crash Changes You
Sometimes, people ask what it’s like to survive a serious motor vehicle crash. The truth is, it changes you in ways that are difficult to explain. You become more aware of your surroundings. You notice things that others might not. You scan intersections, parking lots, crosswalks, and driveways differently than you once did.
You don’t simply walk anymore—you assess.
You don’t simply cross the street—you anticipate.
You don’t simply hear traffic—you rely on it.
When Silence Becomes Frightening
One of the biggest selling features of electric vehicles is how quiet they are. For many drivers, that’s a wonderful thing. Less noise pollution, smoother rides, and a more peaceful driving experience. I understand those benefits. But as a pedestrian, that same silence feels unsettling.
For most of my life, hearing traffic has been one of the ways I’ve protected myself. Long before I actually see a vehicle, I usually hear it and that extra second of awareness matters. When that warning disappears, I feel vulnerable. Many newer electric vehicles now include pedestrian warning sounds at lower speeds, and I think that’s an important improvement. But even with those systems, I still find them much harder to notice than a traditional engine.
I Don’t Think I am the Only One
As a survivor of a horrific motor vehicle crash, I am not just thinking about my own experience. I think about children who are still learning how to navigate roads safely. I think about older adults whose mobility or hearing may not be what it once was. I think about people who are blind or have low vision and rely heavily on sound to understand their surroundings. I think about crash survivors who, like me, may carry anxiety every time they step into a parking lot or approach a crosswalk. And I think about every pedestrian who has ever assumed they would hear a vehicle before it reached them.
It Can Cause Triggers
Some people may read this and think I’m overreacting. Maybe they would feel differently if they had lived through what I have. Nearly every crash survivor carries reminders that aren’t always visible. Sometimes they’re physical. Sometimes they’re emotional. Sometimes they’re triggered by something as simple as a vehicle appearing beside you without warning. When the hair stood up on the back of my neck in that parking lot, it wasn’t just because I was startled. It was because, for a brief moment, I felt vulnerable all over again.
What Can You Do to Stay Safe?
Electric vehicles are becoming a part of our everyday lives, and whether we like it or not, we need to adapt our habits as pedestrians. Here are a few simple ways to reduce your risk:
Don’t rely on your hearing alone. While we’ve all grown up listening for approaching traffic, that’s no longer enough. Make eye contact with drivers whenever possible and visually scan in every direction before stepping into a roadway or parking lot.
Slow down in parking lots. Parking lots are busy, unpredictable places where vehicles can back out or drive through aisles at any moment. Take your time and assume a vehicle could be nearby, even if you can’t hear one.
Put your phone away. Looking down at a text or scrolling through social media, even for a few seconds, can prevent you from noticing a moving vehicle. Your full attention is one of your greatest safety tools.
Watch for reverse lights and moving tires. Sometimes you’ll see a vehicle begin to move before you hear anything. Pay attention to brake lights turning off, reverse lights coming on, or wheels beginning to roll.
Expect the unexpected. Never assume a driver has seen you. Whether the vehicle is electric or gas-powered, always be prepared to stop or change direction if necessary.
It’s About Awareness
I know my feelings about electric vehicles may not be shared by everyone, and that’s okay because this is about creating awareness. That moment in the parking lot reminded me how quickly my sense of safety can disappear. The hair stood up on the back of my neck because my instincts told me something wasn’t right. Thankfully, nothing happened. If sharing my experience encourages even one person to look up from their phone, pause before stepping behind a parked vehicle, or take an extra second to scan their surroundings, then this blog has served its purpose.
Road safety isn’t just the responsibility of drivers. It’s something we all share. And if there’s one thing surviving a crash has taught me, it’s that one extra second of awareness can make all the difference. So yes, electric vehicles scare me. Not because I fear change. But because I know how quickly silence can turn into tragedy.
S. Dawne McKay is a survivor of a horrific crash that changed her life forever. Dawne shares her personal journey as a Crash Survivor Blogger and also collaborates with crash survivors as Guest Bloggers allowing them an opportunity to share their stories. She is also the author of the book, “Talk Crash to Me – What to Expect After Surviving a Collision and How to Manage Your Recovery” which is available for purchase on Amazon.
