The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will require all new vehicles under 10,000 pounds to have rear view cameras by May 2018.
NHTSA reported that it will increase safety of these vehicles by significantly reducing the risk of fatalities and serious injuries caused by backover accidents.
AAA reported that it supports NHTSA’s new rule because rear view cameras can help prevent needless injury and death among our nation’s most vulnerable citizens.
AAA warns that rear view cameras can be very useful in detecting people and objects behind the vehicle, but there are limitations as with any technology. Drivers will still need to turn and check blind spots behind and to the side of the car while backing up in order to ensure safety.
The rule requires all vehicles under 10,000 pounds, including buses and trucks, manufactured on or after May 1, 2018, to come equipped with rear visibility technology that expands the field of view to enable the driver of a motor vehicle.
The field of view must include a 10-foot 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.
The final rule complements action taken by NHSTA, last year to incorporate rear visibility technology into the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).