Filed under: Aftermarket, Car Buying, Gadgets, Trends, Minivans/MPVs, SUVs
Blindspot no more? Rear-view cameras increasing in popularity
A basic skill taught to all drivers is to check a vehicle’s blindspot. But with the increasing
usage of SUVs, and competition among automakers to differentiate themselves, backup sensors and cameras are joining NAV
systems and heated seats as desirable technology for many consumers.
The Center for Disease Control
estimates that, between 2001 through 2003, over 7,000 children were treated for non-lethal injuries after being hit by
drivers who didn’t see them behind the vehicle. Child safety organization KidsandCars.org estimates 97 were
killed in 2005 alone.
Backup cameras are available to assist preventing such tragedies. While many
integrate with any installed NAV system, kits can also be bought and installed separately. The driver can see the
waist and his feet of a person three feet behind the vehicle. Installing the camera higher on SUVs or vans also
provides a more panoramic view. More sophisticated systems use radar to give distance information.
Backup cameras are also useful for drivers who have medical conditions that prevent (or make it difficult) to see
behind them. Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler will reimburse a portion of the cost for backup cameras and devices for
people with such conditions.
[Source: The Village Daily Sun]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Domo 11:35AM (2/01/2006)
Tecah the kids first
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John 11:45AM (2/01/2006)
Recreational handgun owners who don't go through a safety class are doing a massive disservice to themselves and others. Construction companies that don't secure their sites are also foolish.
So, why is it that some person behind the wheel of a 2 ton truck with limited rearward visiblity can start driving backwards without first visually examining the rear of the car before they start driving (like, before they enter the car)? Why do we allow them to go without having to install larger convex mirrors in the event that their painful back ailments prevent them from looking backwards?
Parking sensors to aid people in parellel parking is one thing. Having technology out there to help prevent lazy and incapable drivers from running over soccer balls and children is another. If a driver trully needs a fancy backwards camera to drive an SUV safely - then SUVs themselves must be dangerous, and all SUVs without rearward cameras must be banned from use. Either that or require SUV drivers to get a CDL in order to prove they know how to drive a vehicle with limited rearward visibility.
I have personally witnessed no less than one dozen SUVs or large pickup trucks backing into cars in the parking lot only to boost away because the driver didn't realize what they did - or they didn't want to stick around to find out. It makes me wonder how we still let people behind the wheels of vehicles that the drivers often times lack the ability to maneuver in slow-speed situations.
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Proud Japanese 12:28PM (2/01/2006)
The driving standard of Americans is pathetic compared to those of Japanese or Europeans.
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Justin 12:33PM (2/01/2006)
Hey here is an idea. Get a smaller car and you won't need a camera to back up.
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Joe 1:03PM (2/01/2006)
**FLAME SUIT - ON**
Personally, I would say that a capable driver shouldn't need one, but its not about the stationary items that require the use of these cameras. It is for the objects that run out in front of cars backing up... To that note there are plenty of small cars that have terrible rearward visibility, VW Beeltes and any convertible for that matter has terrible visibility for small objects behind cars... Are SUVs worse, perhaps... I know we install a ton of these on the HUMMERs that are sold off our lot. In most cases all it takes are trailer hitches and we can put the camera in. The Toyota Land Cruiser for a few years now has had it availible. So not to say that its for someone who can't adequately see their blind spot and in response to any earlier comment, SUVs don't beep when backing up so if one is backing out of a parking space between two larger vehicles and little tommy goes running throught the lot (not a rare scenario) without a warning to him that may seem valid, the driver needs to know that someone/something is back there...
As far as i am concerned if you want an SUV and can't see back there, why shouldn't we install cameras? Maybe they should desuade themselves from buying these goliaths, but its a free market and people can spend money where they want; now there is a camera they can spend money on too...
-Joe
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Micah 2:10PM (2/01/2006)
SUV and American haters UNITE!
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Jim in Tampa 2:17PM (2/01/2006)
What does "Tecah the kids first" mean? What is tecah?
I'm all about safety. If it saves one child's life, I'm all for it.
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Justin 3:22PM (2/01/2006)
You tell them micah. They are all just a bunch of jesus hating terrorists.
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Domo 3:34PM (2/01/2006)
To Tampa
I apologize for my typo
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Charles S 4:56PM (2/01/2006)
Wow, so is that all it takes to be an American? To own an SUV? To have the "right" to buy an SUV?
Hmmm... I guess all those US-hating, oil-rich nations are much more Americans than SUV-hating citizens of United States. Those who profit from oil sales to US LOVES Americans who drive SUVs and guzzle-gas to line their bloating pockets.
Hey, I want to live in SUV-loving America! Screw license and safety training to drive an 18-wheeler! I can drive an SUV, then I have the RIGHT as an American to drive any 18-wheelers I want! Hey, if I hit and kill someone, that's just THEIR FAULT, cause they are not American enough to drive an SUV!
All SUV lovers and Terrorist Supporters UNITE!
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fenglong 7:43PM (2/01/2006)
My friend has one of those on her Murano, which she was bragging about how great it is...only to back up into another car in the parking lot...manufacturers continue to offer safety features but if users don't know how to utilize them, then there's not much meaning. but yet, consumers know how to sue, which doesn't always make good sense to me.
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Mike from Scarborough 1:56AM (2/02/2006)
I don't know if you guys down there have alot of bad drivers.But up here in the land of beer and Hockey,there are a crapload of bad drivers in Toronto.Why is it that the worst drivers ( Soccer Moms ), drive the largest vehicles??They even took parralel parking out of the driver road exam because people were failing several times.I drive a cargo Van all day, and have no visibility.I don't mean to stereo type but, car companies are making matters worse with all these "Driver Free" features.There are other people,from other Countries,that are causing mayhem on the roads,but they are handing out licences like nothing.Europe and Japan do have Higher Driving standards by Miles.
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