Philosophy
On the surface it reads like a good idea but check the reality. Are the statistics of said vehicle in contact with a human or another vehicle sound? $200 is $200...just makes the vehicle more expensive. And as we have seen, this country is packed with old vehicles that probably no longer have certain features that were there and functioning when it was new. Just more short-sighted nannyism from the Feds.
The Transportation Department proposed rear visibility rules that would, in effect, require backup cameras in all cars and light trucks by the 2014 models. The DOT estimated the systems -- a rear video camera and interior display -- would add about $200 to the cost of a vehicle.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said the changes would "help drivers see into those blind zones directly behind vehicles to make sure it is safe to back up."
The proposed rule would require an area 20 feet to the rear and 10 feet wide to be visible to the driver. It was required by Congress in a 2007 law named for a toddler killed when his father accidentally backed over him in the family's driveway.
Backup accidents kill nearly 300 and injure 18,000 a year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It estimates the new rule would save 95 to 112 deaths and 7,000 injuries a year.
Backup cameras are mostly optional today and about 20% of 2010 vehicles have them, the Associated Press reported. The proposed rule, which would become final after a required 60-day public comment period, would have to be met by 10% of 2012 new vehicles up to 10,000 lbs. gross weight, 40% of 2013s and all 2014s.
Automakers have not opposed the idea. Ford Motor announced today that most of its Ford and Lincoln vehicles -- including pickups, vans and SUVs -- would offer a standard or optional rear camera and display in the rear-view mirror or on the dash by the end of next year.
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Philosophy
Vehicle prices would go up for a dumb idea
On the surface it reads like a good idea but check the reality. Are the statistics of said vehicle in contact with a human or another vehicle sound? $200 is $200...just makes the vehicle more expensive. And as we have seen, this country is packed with old vehicles that probably no longer have certain features that were there and functioning when it was new. Just more short-sighted nannyism from the Feds.
"Feds would require backup cameras by 2014"
December 3rd, 2010
USA TODAY
December 3rd, 2010
USA TODAY
The Transportation Department proposed rear visibility rules that would, in effect, require backup cameras in all cars and light trucks by the 2014 models. The DOT estimated the systems -- a rear video camera and interior display -- would add about $200 to the cost of a vehicle.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said the changes would "help drivers see into those blind zones directly behind vehicles to make sure it is safe to back up."
The proposed rule would require an area 20 feet to the rear and 10 feet wide to be visible to the driver. It was required by Congress in a 2007 law named for a toddler killed when his father accidentally backed over him in the family's driveway.
Backup accidents kill nearly 300 and injure 18,000 a year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It estimates the new rule would save 95 to 112 deaths and 7,000 injuries a year.
Backup cameras are mostly optional today and about 20% of 2010 vehicles have them, the Associated Press reported. The proposed rule, which would become final after a required 60-day public comment period, would have to be met by 10% of 2012 new vehicles up to 10,000 lbs. gross weight, 40% of 2013s and all 2014s.
Automakers have not opposed the idea. Ford Motor announced today that most of its Ford and Lincoln vehicles -- including pickups, vans and SUVs -- would offer a standard or optional rear camera and display in the rear-view mirror or on the dash by the end of next year.
- What Do You Get When You Mix Russian Drivers And Dashboard Cameras?
A few days ago news spread all over the world about a 15-meter (roughly 49 feet), 10,000-ton meteor that hurled towards Earth over central Russia and exploded in mid-air, sending sonic shockwaves that damaged hundreds of buildings. Although over a thousand...
- Dreams That Never Made Reality--"atomic Cars"
Cool in presentation but the mechanics were missing... "The Atomic Automobile" by Alan Bellows August 27th, 2006 DamnInteresting.com During the 1950s, much of the world was quivering with anticipation over the exciting prospects...
- Electric Vehicles...i Think Not
The article suggests that electric vehicles are the wave of the future. Granted, better batteries will be developed but it will not have that great of an impact with the general public. Just consider the number of people that do not have access to an...
- Mr. Zip...going "green"?
An Op-Ed Contributor, Ruth Y. Goldway, to the New York Times this morning has offered a proposal for the U.S. Government to pave the way for "going green" by converting all postal vehicles to electric power. Sounds like a good idea and might in part...
- "carrot And Stick"...for Energy Alternatives?
The "carrot and stick" methodology has often served global commerce good...money rules. "McCain offers prize for cutting-edge battery" In Fresno, he says he would award $300 million to whoever developed a new device that could efficiently power cars....