On Monday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a new rule requiring that all cars under 10,000 lbs. sold after May 2018 come equipped with backup cameras. The cameras will provide better visibility for the 10-foot by 20-foot zone immediately behind the vehicle.
“Safety is our highest priority, and we are committed to protecting the most vulnerable victims of backover accidents — our children and seniors,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.
There are, on average, 210 fatalities and 15,000 injuries per year caused by backover accidents. While camera technology won’t prevent all of these tragedies, the NHTSA estimates the new rule will save between 58 and 69 lives per year.
“As a father, I can only imagine how heart wrenching these types of accidents can be for families,” Foxx added. “But we hope that today's rule will serve as a significant step toward reducing these tragic accidents.”
[Car backup camera via Shutterstock]
