Slashdot Mirror
Department of Transportation Makes Rear View Cameras Mandatory
An anonymous reader writes "The Department of Transportation issued a new rule (PDF) on Monday requiring car manufacturers to include rearview cameras in all cars manufactured after May 1, 2018. The rule applies to all cars weighing less than 10,000 pounds, including buses and trucks, but does not include motorcycles and trailers. '[The cameras] must give drivers a field of vision measuring at least 10 by 20 feet directly behind the vehicle. The system must also meet other requirements including dashboard image size, lighting conditions and display time.' An estimated 13 to 15 deaths and 1,125 injuries may be prevented with the implementation of this new requirement."
Welcome to "the land of incrementally deprived of their liberty because they don't see the inevitable coming".
Let's just ban cars. And sharp scissors. How many people died from choking last year? Surely there's something we can do to prevent those deaths.
When reversing I use my mirrors almost exclusively. Turning your head only gives you a nice view of the roof pillars. For some idiotic reason they teach you that in drivers ed. When I first took drivers ed in high school they make you stick your right arm behind the passenger seat headrest and turn your head to the right. That may work in some vehicles but with increased rollover protection in the form of thick roof pillars and the current trend of chopped roof look you have an obstructed rear view. Nevermind you can't see to your left and in front of you.
When I first learned to drive I started out in large vans and trucks (also pulling trailers) where rear view mirrors were non existent; all you had were your side mirrors. It also helped that my teacher was a retired truck driver with 25+ years behind the wheel of just about any kind of large on-road vehicle you can imagine. First rule: USE YOUR MIRRORS! Don't stop looking and always assume something or someone is in your way. Second rule: take it slow, there is no reason to rush. Third rule: always know your surroundings. Are there kids around? Are there any poles or obstacles along side you that you might forget? Anything behind you that you might forget? Is there a lot of foot traffic where you are parking? All of those things must be taken into account when driving anything, be it a smart car or a semi pulling a 20 meter long 100 ton lowboy.
I have no trouble backing up and I take my time. The number one issue when reversing are people who aren't paying attention and blindly walk or drive behind you. But you have to expect that when reversing. Simply go slow and use your mirrors. Another thing I like are convex "fish eye" mirrors. On trucks they are a must but I find they are a good addition to cars as well to help eliminate blind spots.
Even after taking everything into account there you can't avoid everything. I was hit when reversing out of a parking spot and the guy tried to blame me. Turns out he was fighting with his girlfriend when driving and didn't see me. He tried to blame it on me and intimidate me to pay cash on the spot. I told him either the cops are called or we part ways, no cash. He jumped in his car and sped off like a maniac. Assholes like those are always out there and you cant avoid them all.