Mandatory Backup Camera Legislation Delayed
By Rachel Smith
Posted: Mar 01, 2011
Backup cameras are becoming common features on passenger vehicles, and with good reason. They help drivers see beyond their line of site, and as a result, they’ve helped save lives. In fact, backup cameras are so critical, that the government wants to make them standard on all vehicles.
Unfortunately, that law may go into effect much later than 2014. “The Obama administration has asked for more time to finalize proposed rules that would require backup cameras in all vehicles by late 2014,” Mother Proof reports.
USA Today adds, “The feds have put off for as long as 10 months a rule that would require backup cameras on most cars and trucks.” Adding, “NHTSA didn't say if the extra time would delay the implementation of backup cameras. The phase-in as originally planned: 10% of new vehicles would have backup cameras by September 2012, 40% by September 2013 and 100% by September 2014.”
According to The Detroit News, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) “asked Congress to grant it more time before it finalizes the rules that were to be completed by Monday.” The Detroit News adds, “In December, the agency announced its proposal that would seek to save about 100 people killed annually when cars mistakenly back over them -- especially small children.”
Approximately 300 people die in backup crashes annually. One hundred of these deaths are child fatalities and one third involves people 70 and older. Standard backup cameras will save lives, but not everyone supports the strict legislation. “The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers — a lobbying group that represents the Detroit Three and other big players like Toyota, Mazda and Volkswagen — has opposed the regulation because it’s too costly,” says Kicking Tires. “If the rule is finalized, the backup cameras would cost the industry $1.9 billion to $2.7 billion annually, according to NHTSA.”
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