New Federal Auto Regulations to Require Vehicle Back Up Cameras in 2012
Regulation Could Add $200 to New Vehicle Cost
Such an accidental traffic death moved Congress to pass the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportion Safety Act of 2007. The law stemmed from the publicity generated by a 2002 accident where a man backed out of his driveway, struck and killed the child after whom the law was named.
One result of Cameron Gulbransen's tragic death was that backup cameras are now required on some large vehicles. A new regulation would apply to vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or less. Auto makers like Ford and Toyota have already taken it upon themselves to sell models with back up cameras installed.
The installation of the rear view cameras for all vehicles meeting the new criteria would be phased in beginning Sept. 2012, when 10 percent of new cars would have the cameras. The following year would require a 40 percent compliance level with 100 percent compliance to follow in 2014. The Highway Transportation Department says that 207 fatalities occur annually from vehicles backing up in parking lots and driveways. The number of injured persons from this type of accident is said to be more than 15,000. ,
Should the NHTSA regulation go into effect, there will be little opposition from publicity sensitive automakers-especially if they want to increase vehicle sales. Estimates are that that mandated rear view video will cost the industry between $1.9 billion and $2.7 billion. Automakers will pass the estimated $200 additional unit cost to the consumer.
Critics on sites carrying news of the NHTSA Dec. 3 announcement complain that making back view cameras obligatory would add to existing nanny-state regulation. One poster said the proposed new regulation was simply poor cost/benefit analysis by the "Federal Politburo." Still others point to the ineffective narrow field range of the technology itself and worry that people will either rely on them too much or ignore them completely.
Cynics may point to at least one good thing that can come of this regulation, should it become law. We could all look forward to some great tailpipe videos posted on YouTube-so long as they don't have tragic endings.
Meanwhile, the matter is still open for discussion. The NHTSA provides information and instructions for public input to the " Federal eRulemaking Portal " for the proposed regulation change: Docket No.NHTSA-2010-0162.
Published by Anthony Ventre
I have a background in traditional print media and radio news. The proliferation of online writing opportunities has changed things for me, largely for the better. News moves quickly in the information a... View profile
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9 Comments
Post a CommentI'll just ride a horse. Super article.
Y'all are too kind, especially Whiplash. I try to cap my egomania by not mentioning my mediocre background but the News Director here, Tim Skillern, requested writers update bios needed for the Y Contributor network. So I "outed" myself. My mediocre career as a Bay Area news director literally went up in flames at one point. The better part of valor was to flee the scene and head East. It's a story I've sometimes thought of telling, because it's funny in retrospect, but probably it would be more believable in fiction. Anyway, I didn't stick around to investigate, and so I'm still not quite sure what happened. I think I had some overly harsh critics or something...lol....
Meanwhile, Whiplash, I read your articles because they're interesting, original, not "canned," and b/c you get better and better.
Hey, Merry Christmas, HappyChannukah, Kwanzaa.... to everyone. At our crib, we have menorahs, crosses, and Kwanzaa candles
Anthony, great report. I see you updated your bio to include your days as a news director ... work like this really showcases your professional talent. This leads me to publicity thank you for ever reading and commenting on my work Pal. That you deem anything I write, poorly written by comparison though it may be, is a testament to you and your character. Nice job Tony and Merry Christmas Brother. Hope it's happy, safe and joyous!
good report, thanks!
This is a great idea, thanks for covering it.
What ELSE will the government dream up to start regulating? Now they're trying to take salt away, and forbid the sale of Happy Meals.
Good article. Yep, another way for the gubberment to dictate what we should do with our lives. Next thing you know, they will be telling us what to eat! Oh, wait.......
I'm with Lindy Lou, I want a head camera! LOL cheers :()
So thankful to the government for coming up with yet another way to make us all nice and safe, and so we don't even have to teach our children not to stand behind running vehicles! But wouldn't it be more efficient if we just had the cameras installed in the back of our heads? They would work wherever we are no matter what we're driving--even if it's just a grocery cart. Good report!