Backup cameras on all new cars.

[GH85Carrera]

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/28/business/us-rule-set-for-cameras-at-cars-rear.html?_r=2&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2

The phrase that should scare most citizens:
"I am from the government and I am here to help you"

[URY914]

45% of cars already comes with them says the article. What will these groups do after the law requires all cars to get cameras? What will they work on next?

[red-beard]

The cost wil be $2.6 Billion dollars per year. The estimate is 288 people killed per year when a car backs over them.

The maximum lives saved is 288. At best, the cost is $10M per life saved. I doubt this will cut the number of back over accidents, even in half.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by URY914

45% of cars already comes with them says the article. What will these groups do after the law requires all cars to get cameras? What will they work on next?

Giant inflatable air bags for the outside of cars.

A foam system which fills a car with open cell foam when it anticipates an accident might occur.

The irony is they want to saves lives, yet these same people are pro-choice...

[RWebb]

I look forward to being able to find cheap backup cameras for my old Vanagon - I just wish it was being done sooner.

I find Mr. Beard's cost estimates to be unusual.

I guess none of your kids have been backed over.

[john70t]

...Additional cost of new vehicles affects transportation choice for the "less-wealthy" unable to afford new $50K cars (like myself but leads to class warfare)...

...Additional weight vs. mpg standards (leads to international oil resources)...

...Inspection and updating processes/proceedures (leads to 4th Ammendment)...

Legitimate, but PARF. Too bad it's a cesspool.

[pegasus9]

Two children a week? That's a crazy statistic.
Hey if it saves a life.

People are in too much of a darn hurry to get nowhere.

[GH85Carrera]

Is it not true that all new cars now have tire pressure monitors?

The average driver is too stupid to check the air pressure occasionaly and can't seem to notice the car is driving funny with a low tire.

[Joeaksa]

More of the Govt sticking their noses where it does not belong. The last thing we need is more govt crap shoved down our throats!

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by red-beard

The irony is they want to saves lives, yet these same people are pro-choice...

Just like the pro-lifers want to cut funding to wellfare, education, and health programs...

[PorscheGAL]

How many people who back into a person uses their mirrors or even look behind them? Will those same people use the back up camera? I have seen many people in my neighborhood just hit the gas and back out without ever looking. I don't see a back up camera helping that much.

[URY914]

Most folks in Florida back up by ear.

[jyl]

220 deaths, 17,000 injuries per year from people being run over by a reversing vehicle.
Call it $2BN/yr cost at around $100/vehicle over time - incremental cost won't be much if the car already has a dash display, or if they put the display in the reaview mirror. $2BN/17,200 doesn't look that nutty. Backup cameras are great, I love them. No blind spots. See a 2 foot tall kid no problem.

Yeah, it is a government requirement. Kind of like how the government requires cars to have headlights, brake lights, seatbelts, safety glass, rear view mirrors. I guess that safe cars irritate some people.

[john70t]

Originally Posted by jyl

I guess that safe cars irritate some people.

"Safe cars".
Oh great! I can still watch YouTube vids while texting the coworker.

Good thing Lizzy Grubman and Rebecca Gayheart still have their licences..

Everyone pays for the crimes of a few. Selective enforcement, universal perdition.

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by jyl

220 deaths, 17,000 injuries per year from people being run over by a reversing vehicle.
Call it $2BN/yr cost at around $100/vehicle over time - incremental cost won't be much if the car already has a dash display, or if they put the display in the reaview mirror. $2BN/17,200 doesn't look that nutty. Backup cameras are great, I love them. No blind spots. See a 2 foot tall kid no problem.

Yeah, it is a government requirement. Kind of like how the government requires cars to have headlights, brake lights, seatbelts, safety glass, rear view mirrors. I guess that safe cars irritate some people.

I agree! 220 deaths is a lot.

Our govt needs to do more to prevent deaths and injuries.

From what I can see, there are well over 500 (FIVE HUNDRED!) deaths per year by drowning in the bathtub, and thousands of injuries. Many of those deaths are children, too. Children!

Yet, our bathing has gone largely unregulated by our Government. This needs to end.

[HardDrive]

We have an 8 year old Lexus with a back up camera. Love it. Glad to see the government forcing other makers to catch up.

[masraum]

I don't need one, but then the back of my miata is knee high to a two year old. Modern cars have high waist lines and trunks. Some seem so high that you might think that you could lose a short woman behind them. The cameras, other than the cost, don't seem like a bad idea.

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by masraum

I don't need one, but then the back of my miata is knee high to a two year old. Modern cars have high waist lines and trunks. Some seem so high that you might think that you could lose a short woman behind them. The cameras, other than the cost, don't seem like a bad idea.

Since moving to a point in my life where I need a minvan, I see the need for this but I don't like it. Both the pacifica we had and the sienna have terribly rear visibility. When I could just turn around easily in my Cherokee, these thinks are full of headrests and other things that make it hard to see behind me.

I don't agree with the extra cost/life. I do think the technology is worthwhile. I'm on the fence. Arg.

[Scott R]

I understand the need, I can't however see how it would fit in my little BMW though. I ordered my 328 without the nav option because with it you have this "bubble" on top of the dash that to me, was distracting.

I suppose now every dash will have space for a tv screen now. Suppose I'll get used to it.

[Brando]

Instead of mandating an expensive feature into vehicles, why not appropriate that 2.8B into driver-education programs. Imagine the number of lives saved if drivers were more cognizant of their surroundings, drove without distractions or were trained to be more aware of the operation of their 5000-pound death sleds.

Oh wait, none of those include an expensive gadget. Nevermind...