NHTSA proposes new safety regulation that requires backup cameras by 2014

2010 Infiniti FX50 S - Around View Monitor

The U.S. Department of Transportation today proposed a new safety regulation that it says may help eliminate blind spots behind vehicles that can hide pedestrians. The proposal, issued by NHTSA, would mandate back-up cameras in all passenger-cars, trucks and minivans.

“The proposed rule was required by Congress as part of the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act of 2007,” NHTSA said in a statement. “Two-year old Cameron Gulbransen, for whom the Act is named, was killed when his father accidentally backed over him in the family’s driveway.”

“There is no more tragic accident than for a parent or caregiver to back out of a garage or driveway and kill or injure an undetected child playing behind the vehicle,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “The changes we are proposing today will help drivers see into those blind zones directly behind vehicles to make sure it is safe to back up.”

The proposal would expand the field of view for all passenger cars, pickups, minivans, buses and low-speed vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of up to 10,000 pounds so that drivers can see behind the vehicle when the vehicle’s is in reverse.

To meet the requirements, 10% percent of new vehicles must comply by Sept. 2012, 40 percent by Sept. 2013 and 100 percent by Sept. 2014.

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– By: Omar Rana

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