Customizable external vehicle communication system

A customizable external vehicle communication system comprising:

• an electronics module, a sound transducer, and a playback activation control;
• wherein responsive to depressing the playback activation control located within a vehicle, the customizable external vehicle communication system communicates an audible message to pedestrians and/or motorists who are in proximity to the vehicle;
• wherein the audible message is delivered external to the vehicle via the sound transducer;
• wherein the audible message is customized and results from a conversion of a digital message from text to speech;
• wherein the digital message is one of several messages stored in one or more memory modules within the electronics module;
• wherein the digital messages are created by typing the digital message into the customizable external vehicle communication system or by converting a user's speech from speech to text;
• wherein a plurality of operator controls are adapted to be actuated by a user to control the operation of the customizable external vehicle communication system;
• wherein the plurality of operator controls comprise one or more ON/OFF controls and a keyboard;
• wherein the one or more ON/OFF controls are operable to apply and/or remove power to the electronics module;
• wherein the keyboard is adapted to accept typed messages from the user.