Should it be a Law – Back up Cameras for all New Cars?
From Boomer & X
Boomer: Melanie, should back-up cameras actually be mandatory equipment in every new car sold? I know Senator Hillary Clinton thinks so. I used them in the vehicles we’ve test driven instead of checking the way we did when I started driving.
X: Did they even have seatbelts or gas engines when you started driving? Really mom, back up cameras should be standard in all vehicles except maybe a Smart Car. It does add to the cost, as much as $2000, of the vehicle as many are part of an upgrade package that includes the navigation system.
Boomer: What ever happened to paying attention to your surroundings? You know, look to see where your children are, bikes or even dogs that may be behind your vehicle.
X: Well, in your day, there were no SUVs, crossovers or Hummer-like vehicles that could cause your view to be obstructed. You also didn’t have all the distractions of today’s commuters, neighbors and parents. This is a more complicated and fast paced world filled with cell phones, BlackBerrys and long commutes. The Brady bunch household doesn’t exist.
Boomer: Did you ever think that closed-circuit monitors and back-up cameras add yet another potential distraction to the vehicle? Instead of concentrating on what is going on around us we stare at a distorted looking TV screen or listen to buzzing sounds indicated by the beep sequence that we are now closer to running over the neighbor’s bike.
X: Maybe you see things that way because at your age, with your children grown and gone, you don’t think it’s necessary. Well I think boomers should consider it as well. Your eyes, memory and routines are distractions themselves. You get upset when you get in my car and see the tank ¼ full or that I left five empty water bottles on the floor. Times have changed.
Boomer: Well Melanie, your points are well taken but what about complications after the warranty has expired. The technology requires a closed circuit TV monitor built into the dashboard someplace, along with the cameras themselves and all the related gizmos and gadgetry. The repair expenses would be high and more than likely not fixed. Then we are forced to go back to turning our head, looking into mirrors and crossing our fingers.
X: I am looking at the statistics that two children are killed and 48 are seriously injured this way every week in the United States. They take place in residential driveways or parking lots and three quarters of the time it is a parent or close relative who’s behind the wheel. I would pay extra for a back up camera and I don’t have any children or pets.
Boomer: I might go for an after market back up camera that would cost from $150 to over $800. The systems that come with the factory installed navigation systems add about $2,000 on to your invoice price.
X: The aftermarket cameras have to be retrofitted so you can’t change from one car to the next like the portable GPS systems we discussed last week. Something has to be done. With the way vehicles get bigger and lives get busier you can see that the days of checking behind your car before pulling out are gone, the days of stay at home moms is gone. You’ve always been careful mother, but not even you can say it would never happen.
Boomer: True, I want the manufacturers to consider safety before they add one more cup holder. I would like to see people take the optional back up camera rather than l9 inch rims, but we live in a world of choices. My choice is to keep our children safe.
X: Well said Mrs. Brady.
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