Rear view cameras could be on all autos, for improved rearview visibility

The U.S. DOT (Department of Transportation) has proposed a Rear View Visibility Rule to protect kids and the elderly who are the leading victims of back-over accidents. The federal government thinks that all automobiles should roll off the assembly line with built in rearview cameras. The government has begun the process that could lead to rearview cameras in all new autos by the end of 2014.

The cameras provide a wide angle view of the area behind the car and driver. The driver can quickly scan a dashboard video display, and move when it is clear and safe.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the children and the elderly are the most common victims of back-over accidents. Children make up 44 percent of fatalities, while people over 70 accounts for another 33 percent. Each year, these tragic accidents injure over 18,000 individuals, and are fatal to nearly 300 victims.

The thought of a child playing behind the car as you begin to backup is terrifying. Seniors and children are victims in a majority of auto backup fatalities. We have all lived with poor rear visibility and "blind spots" for too long. No matter how you twist and turn, you can't see behind you as well as you can see in front of the car.

All drivers know this from experience. Fortunately, the the back-over accident is not a common nightly news event. Yet, like swimming pool drownings, back-over accidents happen too often. We shake our heads in sympathy, and are thankful that it is not personal.

It is comforting to be confident that you have a clear field behind you. Without the rearview camera, you have to check three different mirrors and still know that you haven’t seen every inch because of blind spots.

Is the rear view visibility rule reasonable and prudent to mandate and follow?

Rear view camera systems are available today, but they can be a costly option. The prices are, however, coming down. If mandatory, the cameras would certainly be an incremental addition to the cost of producing an automobile, but the economies of scale should bring those costs down significantly.

The projected schedule is for 10 percent of new autos released in September 2012 to have the camera systems. By September 2013, 40 percent of autos will be equipped with cameras, building to 100 percent by the following year, 2014.

When introducing the proposed rule, Ray LaHood, the U.S. Transportation Secretary said, “… the changes we are proposing today will help drivers see into those blind zones directly behind vehicles to make sure it is safe to back up.”

Ford says that it wil offer rear view cameras as standard or optional equipment on nearly all Ford and Lincoln models by the end of 2011.

The proposed rule was submitted for publication in the Federal Register at the end of November, 2010. It is available for public review and can be downloaded from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration site. The public was urged to review and comment on the proposed rule as part of the public debate.

Drivers can take steps to avoid putting themselves into a position where they might put somebody behind them at risk.

• Walk around your car before getting in the driver's seat to backup. Take a quick tour to be sure that there is no person around your car, especially behind you.
• If kids are in the vicinity, make sure they know you are going to backup.
• Be alert to seniors, or anybody with hearing or vision deficiency. They could mistakenly walk in to your path, unaware of your intention to move the car.
  
• Look up and down the street behind you to be sure you see anybody who may walk or ride into your path before you get completely backed up.
  
• Don't assume that people behind you know what you are doing with your car.
• Know where you own family members are when you are backing out of your driveway.
• Remove obstructions around your driveway and backup path.
• Trim landscaping, especially at the end of the driveway. Be sure you have an unobstructed view for fifty feet up and down the street from the driver's seat.
• Know your personal blind spots. There is no perfect rear view for a driver. Being shorter, taller, heavier than average can affect your personal visibility in the vehicle.
• Consider asking a passenger, or other adult to stand outside the car and at the rear to act as a scout to assist you in guaranteeing a clear backward path.
• Park your car so that you have a clear path in front to allow you to pull forward from a parked position, and completely avoid backing-up.
• Never assume, when you are behind the wheel.
• There is no better time for defensive driving than when you are backing-up. Defensive driving is about identifying hazards and anticipating the actions of others while you are in the drivers seat.