Car Backup Cameras are more than just another car accessory or convenience – although, how great would it have been to have one of these when you had to teach your kids to drive?  Car backup cameras are also being seen as an important automobile safety device.

Car backup cameras have grown in popularity, with about 20% of 2010 vehicles having them installed.  And now there is proposed legislation that would make car backup cameras mandatory starting with the 2014 models.

Car Backup Cameras Increase Driving Safety

The Transportation Department is viewing car backup cameras as a relatively low cost way to increase safety standards and reduce the number injuries and deaths that are being caused when driving a car in reverse.  There are approximately 300 deaths and 18,000 injuries a year due to accidents while backing up a car, and it is estimated that car backup cameras could reduce this by around 100 deaths and 7,000 injuries – and this does not include all the additional property damage that could be eliminated, including accidents where there is no injury involved.

The automobile manufacturers are said to not be in opposition to this ruling, which would have a phase-in procedure beginning with the 2012 vehicles and a 10% requirement, leading to 100% in 2014.  The car backup cameras should only add about $200 to the cost of the vehicles, and this will also keep the consumer from having to both purchase and have the backup camera installed.

Now further consider the cost benefits of car backup cameras by comparing the purchase cost to a savings in your current automobile insurance rates, or eliminating an increase in the rate by avoiding an accident that you might have otherwise had.  Or what about the cost of the bicycle that you drove over, or the cracked taillight from that shopping cart you backed into at the grocery store – there is a case to be made that a car backup camera may save you more than the cost.

To be effective, the car backup camera will need to cover an optimal width and distance behind the rear bumper of the car.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has determined this area to be 5 feet from either side of the rear center of the car, or 10 feet of total width, and a distance of 20 feet past the end of the car – this area is being viewed as the location of highest risk for children or other people to be hit by the reversing car.

Besides having an area requirement, it will also be important that the car backup cameras have minimum standards for night vision, and being able to see what is inside the area in the dark. Depending on street lights or the reversing lights on the car to see what is behind the car wouldn’t be optimal, and a night vision feature like infrared LEDs for better visibility should be included.

Car Backup Cameras Improve Driving

As discussed, car backup cameras are an integral accessory for driving safety, but they are also very useful for driving in general.  For instance, for larger vehicles like trucks and RVs, the camera would actually allow for rear-view vision, since you would not be able to see behind you with a rear-view mirror, and side-view mirrors have blind spots.  Similarly, you could use the camera for backing up to a trailer hitch; again, being able to see behind the vehicle when you otherwise wouldn’t.  And car backup cameras may be most useful as a parking device, where being able to see what you are backing up into, and just how much room that you have, would be very helpful.

Car backup cameras are one of the best accessory purchases that you can make.  They are very beneficial for being able to drive more safely and reduce reverse driving accidents and property damage.  Besides the safety aspect, driving in reverse is more difficult than going forwards, and these are helpful in doing so. Yes, there is an additional cost involved when including these as a new car option, or purchasing in the aftermarket.  But when safety, convenience, and even a reduction in insurance rates are considered, car backup cameras are very affordable, if not ultimately a cost savings, and a great investment to make in your car.