Mandatory Cams

U.S. to require rear cameras in all vehicles by 2018

Quote :

Washington — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Monday finalized long-delayed rules that will require automakers to install back-up cameras in all vehicles by May 2018.

Since it was first proposed, the cost of hardware has come down as more cameras have been added to certain models. Honda Motor Co. and Subaru Motor Co. both announced they are making the cameras standard in all vehicles.

“Safety is our highest priority, and we are committed to protecting the most vulnerable victims of backover accidents — our children and seniors,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “As a father, I can only imagine how heart-wrenching these types of accidents can be for families, but we hope that today’s rule will serve as a significant step toward reducing these tragic accidents.”

After taking office, Foxx championed this rule with White House to win sign-off to finalize the rule.

The final rule requires all vehicles that weigh less than 10,000 pounds, including buses and trucks, manufactured starting in May 2018 must be equipped with rear visibility cameras in order to reduce death and injury resulting from backover incidents. The field of view must include a 10-by-20-foot zone directly behind the vehicle. The system must also meet other requirements including image size, linger time, response time, durability and deactivation.

“Rear visibility requirements will save lives, and will save many families from the heartache suffered after these tragic incidents occur,” said NHTSA Acting Administrator David Friedman. “We’re already recommending this kind of life-saving technology through our NCAP program and encouraging consumers to consider it when buying cars today.”

On average, there are 210 fatalities and 15,000 injuries per year caused by backover crashes. NHTSA has found that children younger than 5 account for 31 percent of backover fatalities each year; those age 70 and older account for 26 percent.

Congress approved legislation in 2007 that was signed into law by President George W. Bush requiring the government to set rear visibility rules by February 2011. The Transportation Department has repeatedly exercised its power to delay the rule.

“NHTSA took time on this regulation to ensure that the policy was right and make the rule flexible and achievable,” the agency said. “In fact, at this point, many companies are installing rear-visibility technology on their own, due to consumer demand. Including vehicles that already have systems installed, 58 to 69 lives are expected to be saved each year once the entire on-road vehicle fleet is equipped with rear visibility technology meeting the requirements of today’s final rule,” NHTSA said.

In September, advocates for mandatory rear cameras filed suit seeking to compel the Obama administration to set long-delayed regulations. The suit was filed by Consumers Union — the parent of Consumer Reports — Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, Kids And Cars Inc., and two parents: Dr. Greg Gulbransen and Susan Auriemma. Auriemma, of Manhasset, N.Y., backed over her 3-year-old daughter, Kate, in her driveway in 2005, injuring her; Gulbransen, of Syosset, N.Y., backed over his 2-year-old son Cameron, in 2002, killing him.

Detroit News

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US requires every vehicle purchase to be at least 50K

I have never needed a camera and I drive large full-size trucks...

Your government working for you!   

I wish they'd put in mandatory Romulun disruptors for the bastards that insist on texting/checking facebook while in motion.

Blame Florida seniors for this. They are just like the act Sienfeld had years ago. Just back up without looking. Egnnn-Bang! "Oops. Time to go forward now."

Of course, those texters don't help.

We've done this to ourselves.   

(That's ok. It just gives us more reason to restore old classics!)