You cannot always see a full view or what’s directly behind you while you’re backing up your vehicle — which can then lead to safety hazards such as injuries, or even fatalities — not to mention incurring financial damage.
Over 15,000 injuries and 210 fatalities are caused by backup accidents every year according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and most could’ve potentially been avoided with backup camera technology installed.
Since before 2010, backup cameras have been installed on the back of FCA US vehicles. This improves the direct view from behind through an image revealed on an 8.4-inch display screen, which varies from vehicle to vehicle.
The backup camera presents a wide range view of what is happening behind your vehicle of at least a 10-foot by 20-foot area, giving you that extra eye that is needed.
The image automatically appears on the display screen on either the instrument panel or rear-view mirror once the driver changes the gear to reverse, revealing a prominent viewpoint to the driver.
As of May 1, 2018, this technological safety feature is now a regulated piece of equipment on all small cars to heavy-duty trucks with a weight limit below 10,000 pounds. This benchmark is introduced from the implementation of backup cameras that started in 2014 which was under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 111 (FMVSS 111).
Another country that will be enforcing this safety regulation is Canada, and will impact their citizen's vehicles as well.
All car companies must meet the new requirement and some have experienced difficulties with the backup camera regulation.
While producing the all-new 2018 Jeep Wrangler, Jeep had to overcome an obstacle of finding a placement for the backup camera without removing the rear-mounted spare tire. A solution was eventually created by placing the removable camera in the center of the spare tire, improving safety while also keeping their signature design element.
With the release of the newest Jeep Wrangler, others have used this backup camera for not only safety features but technological advancements as well.
The all-new 2019 Ram 1500 launched the beginning of the FCA US conversion to high-definition screens that display what is surrounding you from behind with a 12-inch HD screen installed on the instrument panel of the truck.
An estimated 58 lives can be saved each year with this backup camera technology according to the government agency, because it’s not just about what’s in front of you.