Most liked posts in thread: NHTSA proposes mandatory backup cameras in all new cars

How many more times will our dear nanny offer to 'protect' us from our selves until we won't be able to step out of the house without filing a travel plan and waiting for our Gov't safety escort to arrive at our doorstep?

The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has it's limitations.

Watch Funniest Home Videos sometime and count the number if morons trying to kill themselves on trampolines, jumping off rooftops and launching themselves on highspeed conveyances directly into the paths of mail boxes, pine trees and sudden drop-offs then ask yourself: If they survive that then get behind the wheel of a car, what chance do the rest of us have?

 

How about we employ the European standard (German preferably) of getting a drivers license? Here in Kali (as I am sure other states) you can actually take driver's test in a number of different languages (including Russian, my native). I've been driving for 30+ years and I've yet to see a sign in Russian. Never mind ability to change a tire in an emergency.

 

For the love of God, not another nanny. Backup nanny to the rescue of the stupid. Is this a great country or what? :crazy:

 

While I completely agree with the "personal repsonsibility" part of this discussion, I also place the blame right back on the automaker's doorsteps. New cars are so high in the back with such tiny rear windows - you can't see out of them even if you are still young and supple enough to turn your head, lift your ass out of the seat and crane your neck!

If they're gonna build cars with no visibility out of them, then a camera is a must IMHO.

Of course, I'm not buying a car I can't see out of......cars from "back in the day" had seatbacks you could see over, rear windows big enough to see out of in all directions, and a back end that didn't stick up over the top of the window, so you could see something out of it!

We rented a new Hyundai Sonata a couple weeks ago while visiting out of town - I could not see out of that thing to back up - half the time I parked in pull thru spaces so I wouldn't have to try and reverse - it was just ridiculous, because otherwise it was a pretty nice car!

 

I watch my speedo when I back-up, because it is so cool seeing how fast your going backwards:arf:

Mark

 

And if you don't believe that:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gxKStPXyn8]YouTube - Ron White - Stupid is forever[/ame] According to the scripture of Ron White.

 

How about we all wear high pressure rubber suits that keep us from getting hurt at all so we do not actually have to have a little responsibility for our actions and actually pay attention to what we are doing while driving? The government cannot protect us from everything. But they are going make sure they spend all of our $$$ trying. Bunch of yo-yos.

 

Everyone here has made such great comments addressing most all aspects of the issue. As a former first responder to more than one of this type of incident, and more than one with a less-than-favorable outcome, I certainly understand the back-up camera advocate sentiment. However, I view the issue as being much further reaching that that of mandatory backup cameras. The depth of the overall issue is pretty much politically incorrect in many circles, and is something that simply cannot be legislated to make go away.

Regardless of whether or not this becomes a mandatory piece of safety equipment in the future, very sadly, there will continue to be incidents where loose children will fall victim to, and may possibly succumb to their injuries from, the inattentive person behind the wheel. Are the accidents preventable? Not entirely. Cameras have their place, and will likely do some good for some, just not all.

I guess we'll all stay tuned and watch what happens. Personally, I believe the auto industry would do well to be proactive and move towards cameras as a standard piece of equipment and beat the legislators to the punch. If they'd do that, I believe it would be a well received gesture on their part and would save money in the long run.

Just my .02.

 

Look on the bright side. Now you can see how close that SUV to your ass & realize "Things in your rear window are stupider than they look".
But you'll also be able to park in a shorter spot without testing your bumper, see the neighbors cat eye-to-eye, and get your ass out of the way when a car skids behind you in a snow storm_I've done this one and the guy hit the car infront of me.
Merry Christmas and just smile as you get >30mpg and the SUV sucks up 15mpg idiling at the light on your Butt !!!!

 

2014 - Mandated Back-up Cameras

Who are these people that come up with this stuff in government? :eek6:

Next..... Outlaw windscreens because you might cut yourself?

Or, Or, Or...... Privacy screens so the passenger won't distract you?


NHTSA proposes mandatory backup cameras by 2014 — Autoblog

 

See their point but me thinks teaching folks to be more aware when they operate a motor vehicle would be much less expensive than what its going to cost to add a backup camera to every car with a screen in the dash......and if folks don't look at the screen it will make no difference at all.

While very sad and tragic, the folks that started all this had their 18 month old run over by grand pa backing out of the driveway.... What the heck was everybody doing while the little Guy was crawling around in the driveway in the first place...and someone about to leave?

 

Ah, so no personal responsibility here? Grand pa should not have been driving. Parents should have been watching their kid.

Instead we're going to take the "it takes a village" approach and make everyone spend money for their mistake.

Hate to say it but a cost benefit analysis would be appropriate here.

 

Exactly..

"I'm from the Government and I'm here to help you." ;(

 

And what to do about these inconsiderate motorcycleists who insist on steering their bikes into the side of cars entering intersections against the light while the driver yaks away on their cell phone.

We've got runaway regulatory agencies that have no accountability to anyone. When we become a nation of sheep, the wolves will take over.

 

I see nerf cars in our future. Safety foam to the rescue!!! :idea:

 

And it needs to be a camera system because....?

The Japanese, with a hugely crowded homeland, have had these sort of issues covered for decades. As we Brits drive on the left like the Japanese, we see this type of reversing mirror (top left of rear screen) on used SUV and minivan imports:



The Japanese also require a second kerb-side rear view mirror on vehicles with high sides that could conceal a child:



But I guess copying the existing Japanese specification would be too simple and logical.

 

.......and we'll buy those manditory camera systems from the Chinese.

 

The mirror making Lobby has been quiet for many years in Washington. However the camera and electronics Lobby is alive and well. :cornut:

 

That depends how far back you go. Untill the 1950s I don't believe you would find any standard car that you could see a young child standing behind.

We are somewhere near the middle of an era of small windows - the majority of drivers have scared themselves into needing a tank to drive around in and anything bigger than a slit to see out of is too big. But this is just a fashion and like all fashions*, it will pass. People will get confident on the roads again, one day, and then bigger windows will come back. I always think of this generation of Honda when thinking of big windows and I wish my Mini could have windows like it:



But go back a bit further and you get the first Mustang:



Rear and rear three-quarter view was not brilliant, was it?

*"Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months." Oscar Wilde, 1854-1900.

And maybe offering generous, ahem, 'consultancy' employment to NHTSA staff on retirement?