Federal Law to Require New Cars to Include BackUp Cameras by 2018

A new rule requiring backup cameras in all new cars, SUVs, minivans and pickups weighing less than 10,000 pounds by May of 2018 has been announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  All new cars, SUVs and minivans, as well as some new small trucks and buses, will be required to include backup cameras, a measure which is expected to reduce the nearly 210 backover deaths each year.  It is estimated that rear facing camera, including those automakers already offer, could save between 59 and 69 deaths a year, many of which were children.  Automakers will be allowed to “remove side –view mirrors and replace them with cameras that may expand side vision while increasing fuel efficiency”.  In February, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration decided to require vehicle to vehicle communication systems in all new cars and trucks, however an exact date for implementation of this technology has not been set.