Backup cameras to become mandatory?
The NannyNational Highway Traffic Administration has proposed that backup cameras become mandatory equipment in all trucks, minivans, cars, and buses with a GVW of 10,000 lbs or less.
If this proposal goes into effect, automakers will need to outfit 10 percent of their fleets by 2012, 40 percent by 2013 and be in total compliance by 2014. Supposedly this proposal has come about because of the 292 people who perish every year from being backed over and the other 18,000 some who are injured.
While we can certainly understand the need, with rearward visibility in vehicles becoming less due to styling and accessories, but the sheer miniscule number of injuries comparative to those killed by impaired driving leaves us to wonder why the NHTSA is considering forcing automakers to pass even more cost onto consumers for this “safety” feature instead of spending money working on real issues that affect a much higher percentage of the populous.
[AutoBlog]
