Statement on NHTSA Rule Requiring Rearview Video Systems

Washington, D.C. – Today the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a final rule requiring rearview video systems in all new vehicles under 10,000 pounds by May 2018. Rep. Jan Schakowsky – who sponsored legislation requiring this new safety provision – issued the following statement on the rule:

“In 2002, a 2-year old named Cameron Gulbransen was tragically killed when his father unknowingly backed over him in front of his home. Hearing about Cameron’s death – and the fact that more than 200 preventable deaths occur each year due to a massive blind spot behind most vehicles – was heartbreaking. Over the next few years, I worked with Rep. Peter King, the parents of victims, and organizations including Consumers Union, Kids and Cars, Public Citizen and Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety to pass legislation that would prevent backover tragedies in the future.

“In 2008, the Cameron Gulbranson Kids Transportation Safety Act – which I introduced – was signed into law by President Bush. The legislation required expanded rear visibility to reduce unintended backovers. After extensive analysis, NHTSA came to the realization that the only way to guarantee the expanded rear visibility my bill required in the near-term was through the use of rear visibility cameras.

“We understood the problem. We recognized the terrible cost of life. We knew how to fix it. Today, NHTSA made sure that auto makers will do just that.

“We can now celebrate a final rule that will prevent future tragic deaths, and I am glad that we are moving toward a point when no parent will have to suffer the trauma of losing their child because they can’t see behind their car. However, I am deeply concerned that it will be 10 years between the passage of the law and a final rule, and I urge auto makers to act voluntarily to save hundreds of lives by meeting the standard before 2018.”

To learn more about the rule, click here (http://www.nhtsa.gov/About+NHTSA/Press+Releases/2014/NHTSA+Announces+Final+Rule+Requiring+Rear+Visibility+Technology)