Everyone tries to be a safe driver. Unfortunately, there are so many things going on while you’re driving: the radio’s playing, you’re talking on your Bluetooth®, kids are in the backseat, and you’re mentally planning your day—all while you’re trying to be aware of the road and look out for any obstacles – which can be behind you as well as in front of you. You have large windows to see the road ahead, but your rear view is limited to a 10-inch (or smaller) mirror that reflects the view from a window that can be up to six feet behind you, and that’s behind the heads of any backseat passengers. It’s important to know what’s going on before you back up, which may require the help of rear-view video technology.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently issued a final rule requiring rear visibility technology in all new vehicles under 10,000 pounds by May 2018. This new rule enhances the safety of these vehicles by significantly reducing the risk of fatalities and serious injuries caused by backover accidents. KidsandCars.org, a public awareness website that promotes child safety in and around cars, reports that almost 1,100 children have been killed by backover accidents in the United States alone since 2000. Rear-view video systems can enhance the use of a rear-view mirror to give the driver a more comprehensive view of what—or who—is behind the car. They let you see what’s behind your vehicle even if passengers or cargo partially block your rear window viewing, allowing you to safely maneuver and respond quickly to an obstacles.
Rear-view video systems come with a small, weatherproof camera that is mounted on the rear of the vehicle, facing backward. It is connected to a monitor inside the car that allows you to see what it sees. Depending on your vehicle and your own preferences, cameras can include additional technology such as a wide-angle lens, a higher-definition image or enhanced night viewing.
How you see the camera image is also dependent on how your car is personalized. On many factory radios with an in-dash screen, the rear view image can show on the screen when the vehicle is placed into reverse gear. Many screen-equipped aftermarket radios also offer this feature. If neither of these is an option, you can use a replacement mirror that combines the traditional mirror with a rear-view video monitor, or use a standalone monitor that can easily mount on the dashboard.
As rear-view video experts, we can help you select a system that gives you this vital safety benefit without changing the look of your car. We even have vehicle-specific, customized camera options for many popular models that hide the camera to maintain a factory look. Talk to us and drive away with peace of mind!