The government’s at it again, but this time it might be ok! By 2014, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stipulates that all vehicles sold in the U.S. must be equipped with a backup camera system. That might not be earthshaking news since almost half of all 2012 passenger vehicles sold now come standard with backup cameras.
So should you run out and order a backup camera for your older model vehicle? In a word, yes. Why? It’s pretty simple actually.
Safety.
Safety and lower insurance costs are main reasons backup cameras have been installed in commercial vehicles for many years. Now, more Boomers are packing up and hitting the road in their homes on wheels, and more teens are driving now more than ever. A backup camera system can mean the difference between stress-less travel and vacationing in the local collision repair shop, or worse, getting one of those dreaded calls – “Mom, Dad, I think I hit something.”
Keep ‘em safe
Keeping children safe is a priority. Buses should all have backup camera systems as well as GPS. Bus and truck drivers are typically responsible and well trained, and remote front-mounted, as well as rear-mounted cameras cost less and are a smarter choice than risking a driver, student, pedestrian, or vehicle accident. It gives parents some peace of mind too.
Watch out for that ……!
Until recently backup cameras were a more common add-on feature on larger, weightier RVs and fleet vehicles. They were installed mainly to reduce critical accidents and mitigate general operator error, vehicle and property damage, and insurance costs. Backing-up accidents are the most common and repairs and claims are expensive even with good insurance coverage. Investing in a backup camera for every vehicle, large and small, pays off many times over.
Stress less
Rear-view backup cameras are for convenience too. A backup camera reduces a teen driver’s stress backing and parallel parking. It also reduces the pressure of maneuvering larger SUVs, trucks, or RVs around parking lots, gas stations, and tight spots. Backup systems are connected to vehicle monitor/DVD displays giving digital readouts or actual views of surrounding obstacles.
Blind Spots
Blind spots are a driver’s worst enemy. Every vehicle has them. Statistics show almost half of all back-over deaths are children under five. If that’s not unnerving enough, an average of 112 fatalities and 8,400 injuries happen each year because of rear blind spots. A backup camera helps backing into or out of a parking space without running over the curb, pedestrian, or the vehicle parked behind you!
Liability
All delivery and rental fleets need backup camera systems. Lower vehicle and health insurance premiums can usually be negotiated since the equipment reduces driver risk and damage costs. Rental companies can also market vehicle backup camera systems as safety features that appeal to drivers unsure about driving in unfamiliar areas.
Safety, people, property, liability, and cost are good enough reasons to install that backup camera on your RV or sedan. The sooner the better.
This is a guest post by Alex Mitchell. Alex works for TadiBrothers, an online electronics retailer established in 2003. TadiBrothers has a large selection of rear view cameras,underwater fishing camera systems and a variety of other electronics. TadiBrothers is committed to the safety of their patrons.
Marina says
So true! I’ve read about so many tragic accidents that could have been avoided if … 🙁
Gaelyn says
I have a backup beeper. Doesn’t that count for something?
Elizabeth says
The few times we have gotten rental cars with the backup cameras it was oh so helpful…BUT it irks me terrible to have the govt legislate every detail of our lives…they may not have reached 100% yet, but you gotta give them credit for trying. Proves that we need more worker bees and less queens eh??