[car fanatics]

Source
Photo credit: General Motors
February 28, 2012
By: CF staff

Federal regulators plan to announce this week that automakers will be required to put rearview cameras in all passenger vehicles by 2014 to help drivers see what is behind them. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which proposed the mandate in late 2010, is expected to send a final version of the rule to Congress on Wednesday.

[lengnert]

I am still wondering when this administration is finally going to pass that all important Federal "Wipe My Ass clean" Mandate? The one where every time an American finishes their business there is an agent ready to make sure the dreaded scurge of "skid marks in the skivvies" is finally and completely eliminated from this great land.

I would gladly give up Obamacare if I knew (really knew) that my Fruit of the Looms were protected from this blight on humanity.

[Dequindre]

Great, thanks government, you just make cars more expensive!

[REVolution]

More expensive, heavier, and drivers don't need much skill to drive anymore. I can honestly say, I turn my head and my torso all the way around so I can see whats behind my car. I can understand this in an SUV, but in other cars, who wants it?

[greyhairedpete]

And the retardation of the American driver continues......

[ArtRiX]

Even if i had a rear view camera in my car, I probably wouldn't bother looking at it, cuz I'm used to parking my car the way I'm doing now and I feel more comfortable doing that, plus it's quicker for me... IMO rear view camera should be an option for those who want them, cuz I don't want to pay extra for something I don't want.

[Speed Devil]

Other than parallel parking, whats the point?

I love rearview cameras, but why mandate it for EVERY passenger car, I hiaghly doubt you'd ever need one in a Miata now XP

[Gixser995]

Government knows best...

[zeep]

This is just like obesity. People blame the government and expect them to do something about it.
Another reason why Americans are getting more stupid every second.

[Speed Devil]

^

+1

I only like it cause I figure if I get navi, why not have the extra feature, but I doubt it's completely necessary in EVERYTHING now XD

[Super Sport]

This is ridiculous!

I don't remember who it was awhile back who used this to put a price on each life that might possibly be saved, but it ended up being like $1.5M per life (maybe more?). Why should everybody have to pay this ridiculous amount because a couple of people can't keep track of their kids and pay attention?

[Brown_Pride]

I'm glad. This is ABSOLUTELY necessary. After using the rear view in the X5 for a couple years now I cringe at reversing in my car or any other vehicle without rear view cameras.
This doesn't make people stupid, it makes them more aware of what's behind them. We were told in driving school to turn our heads 180 degrees around and put our arm on the passenger seat when reversing. Sorry but when people get older they just can't do that.

The irrational thought in this thread is killing me.

[lengnert]

BP, the only thing I will say about the logic you use in order to justify this proposed mandate is that why don't we look at it this way; since most people (especially in this country) have such poor driving skills then the government should just make having a professional driver (read: chauffeur) mandatory for all Americans.

Imagine the amount of lives that would be saved if everyone was required to pay for a chauffeur to shuttle them about.

That proposal as well as the one that spawned this thread are patently ridiculous.

And if you or anyone else cannot operate a vehicle safely without the use of unnecessary technology (ie., can't backup without this type of aid) then you should voluntarily recuse yourself from occupying the driver's seat of any vehicle.

[Gixser995]

I remember driving cars with backup cameras, and yeah they're cool, but I just feel safer looking back and backing out (or in) because you can see around the car, not just behind it.

It's good if you're backing into a parking spot, and want to avoid backing in to the bushes, or if you're hooking up a trailer. but 90% of the time, I have no use for one.

[Gixser995]

Brown_Pride;184246 Wrote:I'm glad. This is ABSOLUTELY necessary. After using the rear view in the X5 for a couple years now I cringe at reversing in my car or any other vehicle without rear view cameras.
This doesn't make people stupid, it makes them more aware of what's behind them. We were told in driving school to turn our heads 180 degrees around and put our arm on the passenger seat when reversing. Sorry but when people get older they just can't do that.

The irrational thought in this thread is killing me.

All backup cameras do is make people think they don't have to look back before backing out. With all the things going on around you in a parking lot, you should ALWAYS check your surroundings before backing out. If these people can't turn their head to check their surroundings, they probably shouldn't be driving in the first place. Driving is a privilege, NOT a right.