On Monday March 31st, The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced a final rule that requires new visibility technology in new cars by May 2018. The technology refers to rear-view cameras, and gives drivers a wider viewing angle when backing up. The NHTSA says it implemented this new rule because of the injuries and fatalities associated with backing-up incidents. U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said children under five and adults over seventy years old account for 57% of back-over deaths.
The rule will apply to all new vehicles over 10,000 pounds including vans and pick up trucks, so manufacturers will need to expand this technology across their lineups by 2018. The good news is many of today’s new cars are already using this new visibility enhancement. According to Edmunds.com, almost half of all new cars in 2012 were equipped with this technology and consumer demand seems to be on the rise. Ford already offers rear-view cameras in most of its models and so do other manufacturers.
Although the new requirement is aimed at protecting children and the elderly, some people are concerned this is yet another government intrusion. However, the Federal Government already regulates the automotive industry to make sure manufacturers adhere to high quality, safety and efficiency standards. Other government mandated safety features include seat belts, airbags and tire pressure monitors; all aimed at protecting consumers.
A quick visit to your local car dealership will give you a better idea of the latest safety features, like cross-traffic alerts, forward collision warning, lane-keeping system, and many more.
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