Kilmarnock and Loudoun MP Cathy Jamieson is supporting Guide Dogs' call for the installation of a vital safety feature on quiet hybrid and electric vehicles to keep pedestrians safe. Cathy was amongst the large number of Members of Parliament who backed the charity's call to install artificial noise generators on quiet vehicles.

Research shows that some quiet vehicles cannot be heard until one second before impact and, in certain conditions, are more likely to be involved in a collision with a pedestrian than conventional vehicles. Guide Dogs held an event in Parliament to highlight the charity's concerns about the safety implications of vehicles that cannot be heard.

Speaking after the event Cathy said: " A number of constituents contacted me ahead of the event to highlight their concerns about the potential dangers of silent electric vehicles. As the number of quiet vehicles increases on our roads, we need to ensure they are safe. Blind and partially sighted people rely on the sound of an engine to cross a road safely, and if they can't see or hear a car then how do they know it is there? At the Parliamentary event I met people who depend on their guide dogs to get around, and we should be doing everything we can to make it easier and safer."

James White, Guide Dogs' Campaigns Manager, welcomed Cathy's support, adding "We welcome Cathy Jamieson's continued support for our campaign. Quiet vehicles must be safe for all pedestrians and we urge the Department for Transport to take steps to ensure this happens"