Mandatory Backup Cameras Not Before 2015
It’s been several years that the U.S. government is mulling about making backup cameras in cars sold in the United States mandatory. This regulation would very quickly have repercussions in Canada since it would cost more for manufacturers to have a different application for Canadian models.
However the project is still delayed and now we’ve learned that this law will not be passed until 2015. Moreover, there is a good chance that the law will be much less strict than before. In fact, the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) said that it would be too expensive for manufacturers. The agency even reminded that every life saved would amount to $18 million ($ 2,700,000,000 for 150 lives saved).
Rather than requiring that all cars have a camera, NHTSA and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, now advocate a discount to consumers acquiring a car with such a camera.
On the other hand, more and more models are offering a rearview camera as standard equipment.