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Reversing cameras for all cars?

WASHINGTON – After a long battle, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has finalised a law which will require automakers to install reversing cameras in all vehicles by May 2018.

Wheels24 reported that the rule was first proposed in 2010 for all vehicles to have reverse cameras in 2014.   

According to the Detroit News, the new rules set rear visibility standards that automakers will initially be able to meet only by installing cameras.

CAMERAS IN, MIRRORS OUT?

However, much like before, automakers said on Monday (March 31) they are petitioning the Obama administration to let them end the use of side-view mirrors if they installed cameras that could perform the same task — a move automaker's believe could improve fuel efficiency and costs.

The DetNews also reported that the cost of hardware has reduced as more cameras have been added to certain models. Honda and Subaru have announced all vehicles will have standard cameras.

Transportation secretary Anthony Foxx campaigned for the law to be finalised. NHTSA predicts 59% - 73% of all vehicles purchased in 2018 would "have had the cameras anyway".

Children younger than five-years-old account for 31% of the 210 people killed annually in "reversing deaths", while people older than 70 account for 26%, reports the DetNews.  Reportedly, 15 000 people are injured annually in reversing incidents. 

NHTSA said: “Most people place a high value on the lives of children and that there is a general consensus regarding the need to protect children.

The costs of parents running over their own children, NHTSA said, is “not easily convertible to monetary equivalents.”

Automakers will need to produce 10% of vehicles built after May 2016 with cameras, 40% after May 2017 and all units after May 2018.

The rule calls for cameras turn on within two seconds of the driver shifting into reverse and outlines how bright multimedia screens should be.

Read more about the new law here!
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