New electric cars have a low speed noise maker in the US (required by law after sometime this year), but most Teslas on the road now were built before this was a requirement.
I think that's one of the stupidest additives of constant noise pollution - noise pollution being one reason people zone out and stop paying attention to their environment, rather than people being aware that they're about to step onto a road.
Not everyone can see.
And those people are going to be much less likely to randomly, unexpectedly walk out in front of traffic where it's not a designated crosswalk. I bet their hearing is refined, heightened, to more easily notice quieter electric vehicles as well.
As someone who grew up before smartphones, with plenty of noise pollution, I am sure it's not the noise. People cross the street stairing at their hands.
I think the requirement isn’t in effect until 2020: