WASHINGTON – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a proposed rule Monday requiring all new light vehicles – including cars, SUVs, trucks and vans – to have “rear-view visibility systems” – in effect, requiring backup cameras.
The rule, which would be final in 60 days, would start phasing in May 1, for 2016 models and be at 100 percent May 1, 2018.
The rule follows an outcry from consumer groups and by families touched by tragic back-over accidents, especially those involving children. They have pushed hard against more delays in the rule.
Under the rule, all vehicles would have to give the driver a view 10-foot by 20-foot zone directly behind the vehicle. There are also requirements for image size and other factors that all but require rear-view cameras as the only solution that complies.
In a 2010 report, the DOT’s NHTSA said each year, 210 people die and 15,000 are injured in light-vehicle backup incidents.
NHTSA estimates 58 to 69 lives will be saved each year (not including injuries prevented) once the entire on-road vehicle fleet has rear-view systems, which it believes will be by about 2054.
Congress passed a law ordering the Transportation Department to have a rule in place by 2011 to require cameras or other backup warning devices on all new cars and light trucks. The original goal was for them to be required on all light vehicles by the 2014 model year. Until Monday, however, there have been multiple delays over the details.
To try to break through, a coalition of car-safety advocates and parents sued the Obama administration in September. Two parents who accidentally backed over children were the lead plaintiffs. The U.S. Court of Appeals in New York was scheduled to hear arguments Tuesday.
Advocates expressed relief the regulation had finally been issued.
“It’s about time the motoring public will finally be able to see what’s behind their vehicle while backing up,” says Janette Fennell, president of KidsAndCars.org, in a statement.
Many automakers, responding to consumer demand, have gotten ahead of the regulation by putting standard or optional cameras on new models as they are redesigned, even on their smallest, most economical cars.
NHTSA estimates 73 percent of light vehicles already voluntarily will have rear-view cameras by the final deadline of 2018, and the cost per vehicle to equip the remainder will be $132 to $142 for a complete system, $43 to $45 to add the camera to a vehicle already having an adequate display screen.
© 2014 USA TODAY. All rights reserved.
