Backup cameras mandated for all cars for 2018 (US & Canada)

[MetroMPG]

Split discussion of backup cameras from: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...buy-35999.html

[Goldenstate]

The heavy traffic in most larger towns makes for too many things happening at once. Everyone I have spoken with finds the back up camera a wonderful tool, especially on busy streets and in crowded shopping centers. I would never own another vehicle without such a luxury. I have friends with older vehicles that when they see how nice the backup camera screen shows what is happening, they install an aftermarket camera on their older vehicle. For older people with neck problems, it is a game changer.

[redpoint5]

I'm generally against government mandates, as my signature alludes to. That said, mandating cameras is among the least of my complaints against the government. They are bound to become standard equipment anyhow, just like automatic door locks. Nobody forced automatic door locks, but you can hardly find a car without them now.

Backup cameras add like $10 to the price of a car that already has a screen built in. I suppose the cost would be a bit higher if the screen was there only for displaying the rearview, but they are commonplace now due to NAV and controlling other vehicle functions.

Here are some facts from the first website I visited:

Every week in America, there are more than fifty backover accidents involving children. The average age of the child is one-year old. The majority of the time, a parent or relative is driving the vehicle. Mostly these accidents happen with larger vehicles like a truck, van, or SUV. Of the fifty children run over, two of them die.

The predominant age of victims is one year olds. (12-23 months)
Over 60% of backing up incidents involved a larger size vehicle. (truck, van, SUV)
Tragically, in over 70% of these incidents, a parent or close relative is behind the wheel.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study reports over 2400 children are treated in hospital emergency rooms every year due a child being struck by or rolled over by a vehicle moving in reverse.

Mandating backup cameras may eventually trickle down to lower insurance premiums too. If the cost to add the camera is offset by the cost of accidents that are avoided, then it makes it a no-brainer.

[nemo]

While we are mandating safety equipment. Passengers side mirrors should contain both convex and flat glass to help eliminate cutting off other drivers. Even my wife's cheap Fiesta has both.

[DSMHondaGuy]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I'm generally against government mandates, as my signature alludes to. That said, mandating cameras is among the least of my complaints against the government. They are bound to become standard equipment anyhow, just like automatic door locks. Nobody forced automatic door locks, but you can hardly find a car without them now.

Backup cameras add like $10 to the price of a car that already has a screen built in. I suppose the cost would be a bit higher if the screen was there only for displaying the rearview, but they are commonplace now due to NAV and controlling other vehicle functions.

Here are some facts from the first website I visited:



Mandating backup cameras may eventually trickle down to lower insurance premiums too. If the cost to add the camera is offset by the cost of accidents that are avoided, then it makes it a no-brainer.

But see that's the dependency on tech I'm talking about. Say the GPS / nav system breaks and then what? No one now days no one carries or hell even knows how to read a ****ing map. It's so bad now that a LOT of people, if they don't have their smart phone or vehicles nav system can't find a place a couple cities over.

[ksa8907]

I'll throw my two cents in. I, also, am generally not in favor of government mandates but backup cameras are just one more tool to help avoid backing accidents.

In a crowded parking lot with limited visibility to the sides, they are worth the small added expense.

[MetroMPG]

^ that's why it's better to REVERSE INTO parking spots, unless you can drive straight through.

This was one of the basics when I was teaching defensive driving. You'll notice many "professional" drivers reverse in.

It's arguably more fuel efficient, too.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by DSMHondaGuy

But see that's the dependency on tech I'm talking about. Say the GPS / nav system breaks and then what? No one now days no one carries or hell even knows how to read a ****ing map. It's so bad now that a LOT of people, if they don't have their smart phone or vehicles nav system can't find a place a couple cities over.

Humanity has been dependent on tech since we started swinging sticks in anger. GPS, cameras, and cell phones are all just modern tools, and it make sense that people are more trained on the technology of their day than the technology of the past.

I don't know how to use any of the tools in the Woodwright's Shop, but that's because electricity was invented and made peddle-powered lathes obsolete.



To summarize my comments, the government probably doesn't need to mandate backup cameras because they are so useful that people will demand them even in their Mitsubishi Mirage (worst car in the world). I added one to my 2006 Acura TSX. The camera cost $10 and was fairly easy to integrate with the existing NAV screen.

I don't like government intervention, but requiring such cheap safety equipment is small beans compared to the other crap they mandate. Ever notice how many TSA agents there are confiscating toothpaste and juice at airports? You pay $5.60 each flight for that privilege.

[aerostealth]

People got fighting mad over the introduction of safety glass in cars in the 1920's. Then it was over seat belts in the 60's. Then it was over air bags after that. No one remembers what these people were even objecting to nowadays. So it will be with back up cameras which will save the lives of countless children amoung others things.

[ksa8907]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

^ that's why it's better to REVERSE INTO parking spots, unless you can drive straight through.

This was one of the basics when I was teaching defensive driving. You'll notice many "professional" drivers reverse in.

It's arguably more fuel efficient, too.

I back into my garage and into spots at work, for some reason I can't get myself to reliably back into spots anywhere else. New years resolution?