Backup Camera Regulation: In Rearview Mirror For Now

Last year the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) proposed regulation that would require rear view mirror cameras. The regulation was delayed until November. The legislation was first proposed by George W. Bush back in 2008. It may not be until 2014 until the cameras would be required in all vehicles. The idea is to allow drivers to see what is behind them when they are backing up. According to data from the NHTSA 300 people are killed every year from back over accidents.

The cost of rearview mirrors would be around $2.7 billion according to BusinessWeek. The backup cameras would add around $58-$203 to every vehicle. The cost of every a save life would be $18.5 million. The primary people who are at risk for the back-up accidents are children and the elderly. What is interesting however is that many more kids die from drowning every year. Roughly 175,000 children die from drowning every year. Why isn’t Congress requiring parents to have video monitors to watch their kids while swimming? If we do some quick calculations we would find that the cost per life saved would be more than $18 million per person. Of course, any loss of life is never a good thing. However, when the cost of life is this high is it really worth it? Also I would be willing to bet that even if every vehicle had the rearview mirror installed that we would still have accidents and deaths related to back up accidents.

The regulation would benefit Gentex Corp who would be a major benefactor if this rear view mirror cameras were actually required. I would be curious to see if Gentex donated any money to certain politicians. For some years now some manufactures already have rear view mirrors installed in the center console (usually part of the navigation system).

Automobiles will continue to get safer. When you consider that only 300 people die a year considering there are over 254 million vehicles on the road it seems as if the odds of getting run over are very slim. Of course this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to improve auto safety. However, if we want to improve auto safety it should be done voluntary. Consumers demand safe cars and car companies listen. I am surprised insurance companies don’t have an interest in this. If cameras were installed in cars (front, side, and rear) insurance companies could more easily determine who was at fault for an accident. This would make paying out claims much easier and more accurate.

Until we reach the age of driverless cars we will have to deal with what modern technology will afford us. Requiring rearview mirror cameras would not only increase the cost of cars but also save very few lives as a result. Car companies already have incentives to make vehicles safe since consumers care more about their live than anyone else.