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backup cameras mandatory in all new vehicles

28,155 544 March 31, 2014 at 12:13 PM in Autos (4)
Automakers will be required to install backup cameras in most new vehicles by May 2018, a federal agency announced Monday. [cnn.com]

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration finalized a long-awaited rule requiring all new cars, SUVs, and minivans, as well as some new small trucks and buses to carry rear visibility technology.

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Joined Jul 2005
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> bubble2 10,159 Posts
z2g
04-02-2014 at 05:46 PM.
04-02-2014 at 05:46 PM.
I think this is a good thing. I've had backup cams in my last 4 cars and love it. Makes backing up much safer.

Sure, it'll raise the prices of cars to offset standard equipment. But it's still better for consumers because automakers can't bulk backup cams with factory navigation anymore.

As far as repair costs, I've never had the backup cam malfunction on any of my cars....and one is a BMW which we've had for 4-5 yes now.
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Joined Jan 2004
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Iaaaiws
04-02-2014 at 09:14 PM.
04-02-2014 at 09:14 PM.
Quote from z2g View quoted comment :
I think this is a good thing. I've had backup cams in my last 4 cars and love it. Makes backing up much safer.
Was running over things in reverse a huge problem for you prior to having those backup cameras?
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Joined Jul 2005
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 10,159 Posts
z2g
04-02-2014 at 09:22 PM.
04-02-2014 at 09:22 PM.
Quote from Iaaaiws View quoted comment :
Was running over things in reverse a huge problem for you prior to having those backup cameras?
No.....but in my neighborhood, we have a "community" driveway with many homes. So, there are often kids running around the garage area/driveway. And when you're pulling out of the garage, a small child could easily run right out behind your car. Without a backup cam, you could possibly still see the small child. However, if they're right behind your SUV that's a little higher, you could easily miss the child if you don't have backup cam.

However, with the backup cam, you can see that child right behind your car/SUV. Do ppl absolutely need a backup cam? Of course not! But, it's definitely a useful aid when backing up.
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Joined Jan 2007
The Mistress of All Evil!
> bubble2 22,510 Posts
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Maleficent
04-02-2014 at 09:23 PM.
04-02-2014 at 09:23 PM.
Quote from Iaaaiws View quoted comment :
Was running over things in reverse a huge problem for you prior to having those backup cameras?
I have to wonder that, too. Crazy


I've been driving for 15 years, never once had a car with a back-up camera or sensor, and I've never once backed up into anything. Like... WTF are people doing that these have become supposedly "necessary?"
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Joined Apr 2004
Mr llama llama
> bubble2 3,049 Posts
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The Llama
04-02-2014 at 09:24 PM.
04-02-2014 at 09:24 PM.
Quote from Maleficent View quoted comment :
I have to wonder that, too. Crazy


I've been driving for 15 years, never once had a car with a back-up camera or sensor, and I've never once backed up into anything. Like... WTF are people doing that these have become supposedly "necessary?"
He said "safer" not "necessary."
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Joined Jan 2007
The Mistress of All Evil!
> bubble2 22,510 Posts
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Maleficent
04-02-2014 at 09:27 PM.
04-02-2014 at 09:27 PM.
Quote from z2g View quoted comment :
No.....but in my neighborhood, we have a "community" driveway with many homes. So, there are often kids running around the garage area/driveway. And when you're pulling out of the garage, a small child could easily run right out behind your car. Without a backup cam, you could possibly still see the small child. However, if they're right behind your SUV that's a little higher, you could easily miss the child if you don't have backup cam.

However, with the backup cam, you can see that child right behind your car/SUV. Do ppl absolutely need a backup cam? Of course not! But, it's definitely a useful aid when backing up.
Wouldn't it just be simpler to teach a kid not to run in front of/behind a car when it's moving or about to move? I did that with mine - no cameras or sensors necessary!

Quote from The Llama View quoted comment :
He said "safer" not "necessary."
If they're making these mandatory in all new vehicles, someone deemed them necessary, no? I wasn't specifically addressing z2g in that part of my post.
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Last edited by Maleficent April 2, 2014 at 09:27 PM.
Joined Jul 2005
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> bubble2 10,159 Posts
z2g
04-02-2014 at 09:31 PM.
04-02-2014 at 09:31 PM.
Quote from Maleficent View quoted comment :
Wouldn't it just be simpler to teach a kid not to run in front of/behind a car when it's moving or about to move? I did that with mine - no cameras or sensors necessary!
Sure....but they're not my kids! LOL!

It's like having navigation in your car. We lived without it for most of our lives. However, once I had it in my cars, I love it and would never want to go without it when I'm travelling.

Similarly, I've driven my whole life without backup cams. However, once I had it in my car, I made sure I had it in all my new cars because it's just safer. And, that's the operative word.....safer. Not required, but a great aid.

In my wife's X5, we have a backup cam AND sensors. Are both necessary? No, but both can be useful when backup up and parallel parking.
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Joined Apr 2004
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The Llama
04-02-2014 at 09:32 PM.
04-02-2014 at 09:32 PM.
Quote from Maleficent View quoted comment :
Wouldn't it just be simpler to teach a kid not to run in front of/behind a car when it's moving or about to move? I did that with mine - no cameras or sensors necessary!



If they're making these mandatory in all new vehicles, someone deemed them necessary, no? I wasn't specifically addressing z2g in that part of my post.
I thought you were addressing him specifically.
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Joined Jan 2007
The Mistress of All Evil!
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Maleficent
04-02-2014 at 09:43 PM.
04-02-2014 at 09:43 PM.
Quote from z2g View quoted comment :
Sure....but they're not my kids! LOL!

It's like having navigation in your car. We lived without it for most of our lives. However, once I had it in my cars, I love it and would never want to go without it when I'm travelling.

Similarly, I've driven my whole life without backup cams. However, once I had it in my car, I made sure I had it in all my new cars because it's just safer. And, that's the operative word.....safer. Not required, but a great aid.

In my wife's X5, we have a backup cam AND sensors. Are both necessary? No, but both can be useful when backup up and parallel parking.
Well, yeah, navigation I can see - who hasn't been lost a number of times before that came out? Of course it's better to always know where you're at and how to get where you want to go.

Plus, you guys won't ever pull over and ask for directions! Tongue


I just don't get how they're "safer" unless you're a crappy driver.

I've gotten lost a few times - navigation helps to ensure I won't get lost anymore. If I never back up into anything, why would I need a device to ensure I never back up into anything?

Quote from The Llama View quoted comment :
I thought you were addressing him specifically.
Oh, no. I thought the "people" part was enough to convey that. My bad. laugh out loud
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Joined Sep 2009
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> bubble2 1,378 Posts
d0min0
04-02-2014 at 09:46 PM.
04-02-2014 at 09:46 PM.
i love having a backup cam. that way i can get as close as possible backing up into a parking spot! god knows people in san francisco NEED this. city parking is horrible.
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Joined Jan 2007
The Mistress of All Evil!
> bubble2 22,510 Posts
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Maleficent
04-02-2014 at 09:48 PM.
04-02-2014 at 09:48 PM.
Quote from d0min0 View quoted comment :
i love having a backup cam. that way i can get as close as possible backing up into a parking spot! god knows people in san francisco NEED this. city parking is horrible.
For what, parallel parking? Shouldn't you be leaving enough space for the person behind you to get out? laugh out loud


I can see how they'd help with parallel parking - I just think it's ridiculous they're making these mandatory in cars. People should just pay freakin' attention to what they're doing, especially when operating heavy machinery.
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Joined Jan 2004
Here's to the future
> bubble2 25,143 Posts
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Iaaaiws
04-02-2014 at 09:48 PM.
04-02-2014 at 09:48 PM.
Quote from z2g View quoted comment :
Sure....but they're not my kids! LOL!

It's like having navigation in your car. We lived without it for most of our lives. However, once I had it in my cars, I love it and would never want to go without it when I'm travelling.

Similarly, I've driven my whole life without backup cams. However, once I had it in my car, I made sure I had it in all my new cars because it's just safer. And, that's the operative word.....safer. Not required, but a great aid.

In my wife's X5, we have a backup cam AND sensors. Are both necessary? No, but both can be useful when backup up and parallel parking.
But does any of justify making it mandatory and forcing people to pay the extra cost in every automobile?

I would think having a breathalyzer hooked to the ignition of every car would save even more lives than backup cameras. Should those be mandatory and everyone should have to blow into a tube to start their cars? Where does it stop?

If people like backup cameras enough the demand will be there anyway. That would result in enough competition to make it available either as cheaply as possible or at a higher quality than the others. By making it mandatory they will just meet the required specs and pass on whatever it costs to the consumer.
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Joined Jan 2004
Here's to the future
> bubble2 25,143 Posts
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Iaaaiws
04-02-2014 at 09:52 PM.
04-02-2014 at 09:52 PM.
Quote from Maleficent View quoted comment :
For what, parallel parking? Shouldn't you be leaving enough space for the person behind you to get out? laugh out loud

Duh, that's only for people without backup cameras.

And they can still get out. That's what bumpers are for.

/Dr. J
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Joined Jan 2007
The Mistress of All Evil!
> bubble2 22,510 Posts
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Maleficent
04-02-2014 at 09:55 PM.
04-02-2014 at 09:55 PM.
Quote from Iaaaiws View quoted comment :
But does any of justify making it mandatory and forcing people to pay the extra cost in every automobile?
EXACTLY!

Quote :
I would think having a breathalyzer hooked to the ignition of every car would save even more lives than backup cameras. Should those be mandatory and everyone should have to blow into a tube to start their cars? Where does it stop?
That's an excellent analogy. And you're right, that would be a much better feature to make mandatory. Where's the argument for that now?

The article said:

Quote :
There are nearly 210 backover deaths each year
and then

Quote :
Rear facing cameras, including those that automakers already offer, would save between 59 and 69 deaths a year
Seriously? We're going to make this mandatory in hundreds of millions of automobiles to save 69 deaths annually?

69 people would be about 0.000023% of the population. Really?! Facepalm

Quote :
If people like backup cameras enough the demand will be there anyway. That would result in enough competition to make it available either as cheaply as possible or at a higher quality than the others. By making it mandatory they will just meet the required specs and pass on whatever it costs to the consumer.
That's an excellent point. All around, we lose.

Quote from Iaaaiws View quoted comment :
Duh, that's only for people without backup cameras.

And they can still get out. That's what bumpers are for.

/Dr. J
Crylol

I laughed so hard at that part! LMAO
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Last edited by Maleficent April 2, 2014 at 09:56 PM.

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Joined Jan 2004
Here's to the future
> bubble2 25,143 Posts
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Iaaaiws
04-02-2014 at 10:01 PM.
04-02-2014 at 10:01 PM.
Quote from Maleficent View quoted comment :
Rear facing cameras, including those that automakers already offer, would save between 59 and 69 deaths a year
I wonder if they just assume that the idiots that carelessly backed over people would suddenly be carefully monitoring the backup camera when they back up?
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