How Safe Are Vehicle Backup Cameras?

If you thought vehicle backup cameras were a recent technological advancement, think again! The backup camera actually made its first appearance on a 1956 Buick Centurion. While this rudimentary camera was far bulkier than its modern counterparts, this tech tool laid the foundation for the safety enhancements of the future.

Today, all new vehicles under 10,000 lbs. sold in the United States are required to feature a functioning backup camera because the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recognizes their ability to reduce both the incidence and severity of backing crashes. But how safe are these cameras really? Let’s take a closer look at this widely-regarded vehicle safety feature and explore the real-world impact this technology has had on traffic safety.

What is a vehicle backup camera?

A vehicle backup camera – sometimes referred to as a rearview or reversing camera – is a safety feature installed in modern vehicles that delivers a live video feed of the back of a car to a monitor that is visible to a driver. These cameras are specifically intended to give motorists greater visibility while driving in reverse to safeguard against unseen hazards.

Backup cameras are typically mounted near a vehicle’s rear license plate and are wired directly into the car’s reversing lights so the camera will automatically engage every time the car is put in reverse. The feed from the camera is displayed via a screen on the car’s dashboard so the driver can gain a clearer picture of their surroundings without relying on mirrors or having to physically turn around to look out their rear windshield.

In 2011, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that backup cameras would be mandated safety features for all new vehicles sold in the United States beginning in 2018. Subsequently, backup cameras have become standard safety features on the cars we purchase and drive every day.

What are the safety benefits of backup cameras?

The NHTSA opted to mandate the inclusion of vehicle backup cameras because the administration recognized their potential for reducing the frequency and impact of backing crashes. According to one study published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in 2017, the presence of a backup camera reduced drivers’ risk of being involved in a backing crash by roughly 17%, with older drivers benefiting the most from this safety feature. Backup cameras have only become more common in the years since this study was published, making their benefits more widespread and pronounced.

Here are just a few of the safety benefits associated with vehicle backup cameras:

1. Improved rear visibility

It may sound obvious, but it’s hard to avoid roadway hazards if you cannot see them. While traditional rearview mirrors were designed to improve visibility to the rear of a vehicle, the reality is that these small fixtures can only offer slight enhancements in visibility due to their location. Backup cameras pick up the slack for rearview mirrors and make it easier for drivers to visualize low-lying hazards behind their vehicles.

2. Enhanced protection for pedestrians and cyclists

According to the NHTSA, backover crashes are responsible for roughly 15,000 injuries and 210 fatalities each year. Children under the age of five tend to be disproportionately affected by backover accidents, likely due to the fact that smaller people are less visible in front-mounted rearview mirrors. Backup cameras help fill in the visibility gaps and make it easier for drivers to visualize pedestrians and cyclists who may be crossing behind a vehicle.

3. Fewer parking lot accidents

According to the National Safety Council, approximately 1 in 5 car accidents takes place in a parking lot. Not only are drivers more likely to drive distracted or multitask while navigating parking lots, many drivers also have to manage low visibility while reversing out of parking spaces. Backup cameras help to mitigate the risks associated with these backover incidents and may reduce the overall frequency of parking lots across the board.

4. Greater accessibility

As we’ve discussed, rearview mirrors alone generally do not offer enough rear visibility to ensure drivers’ safety while driving in reverse. To offset these limitations, many drivers find that they must physically turn around in their seats to improve their visibility. This physical action requires a fairly substantial amount of upper body flexibility and mobility that some drivers may not possess. Backup cameras can eliminate or significantly reduce the need for this level of physical engagement, which may enhance safety for older drivers and motorists with lower levels of mobility.

Not only are backover accidents extremely common, but they can have serious, life-altering consequences. Backup cameras can help mitigate the potentially disastrous risks of these dangerous accidents while offering drivers greater control over their maneuvering and navigation in parking lots, residential areas, and public streets.

The limitations of vehicle backup cameras 

Despite their widely-regarded benefits, backup cameras are not without their challenges and limitations. For starters, even high-quality backup cameras cannot fully eliminate all blindspots for drivers. Subsequently, it is still important for motorists to practice safe driving protocols while maneuvering in reverse.

Additionally, backup cameras can become obscured by dirt, rainwater, or other environmental elements, thus negatively impacting a driver’s visibility. Regular cleaning and maintenance are critical for ensuring a backup camera’s continued functionality. This also includes technical maintenance to safeguard against potential delays or glitches in the video streaming features.

Finally, drivers with access to backup cameras must remember that the technology alone is not enough to keep them safe behind the wheel. Backup cameras are not without their faults and cannot capture every potential hazard within a driver’s environment. What’s more, some drivers may find themselves becoming distracted by a backup camera display and subsequently fail to notice other hazards in close proximity. Failing to maintain an awareness of these potential backup camera limitations could result in drivers becoming involved in preventable accidents which may, in some cases, have serious financial, personal and legal consequences.

Legal considerations for backup camera users

While backup cameras can certainly reduce some of the risks commonly associated with driving in reverse, accidents can still happen. When an accident occurs – even if a backup camera was in use – there are certain legal implications for all involved parties. Because determining liability plays such a vital role in assessing and assigning damages following an accident, it’s important to understand how these determinations could be impacted by certain factors related to backup cameras.

The complexities of backup camera systems make it absolutely vital for accident victims to seek effective legal counsel in the aftermath of a backover accident. At Plaxen Adler Muncy, we fight for accident victims in the State of Maryland, and seek the compensation they deserve to support their post-accident recovery efforts.

If you’ve been injured in a backup-related accident, we can help you decide upon the best course of action for your unique case and offer you knowledgeable, compassionate support throughout the entire legal process. To take the next step on your post-accident legal journey, give us a call today or fill out our contact form for a free consultation with a member of our team.