Backup Cameras Required Safety Equipment by 2018

May 23, 2017, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

For those of you who have driven using a backup camera you know that, there is certainly a learning curve. Once you’ve used one regularly though, you’ll understand that they are crucial to safe driving. Parking lot back ups, backing out of driveways, and any other back up manoeuvres become infinitely safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and children. This move is also a response to automakers calls to eliminate regulatory differences between Canada and America. This streamlines production and manufacturing costs for the companies.

The 2018 model year will be the first year of cars in Canada that is required to have backup cameras. The cameras are generally mounted low on the bumper (increasing accident repair costs) and they offer a low-level view of what is directly behind the car. They generally come with gradations on the screen to allow for better judgement of distance behind the car as well. The new requirements for a backup camera will apply to light duty vehicles, passenger cars, trucks, three wheelers, multi-purpose cars, small busses and low speed vehicles.

Camera systems display the monitoring area on a screen located on the dashboard or on your rear view mirror. Other systems use ultrasonic sensors as well which emit a warning sound to let you know when you are too close to the object in your way.

Transport Canada has waited for extensive testing results on the cameras, and for international signage standards to be established before approving the cameras for use.  An estimated 1500 people are injured every year in Canada and approximately 25 people a year are killed by being run over by cars reversing. You can retrofit your older cars with a back up camera available aftermarket, but these generally have a much smaller display screen than those in new cars.

"This helps children be seen and provides Canadians with one of the best safety technology systems to reduce back-over collisions," Transport Minister Marc Garneau said in a statement.

Transport Canada notes that when using Camera systems:

• Most provide full coverage of the rear of the vehicle - more so than sensor systems.
• Most camera systems do not alert the driver.
• Conditions such as rain, darkness, glare, dirt on the camera can make viewing difficult.
• Effectiveness depends on drivers reversing slowly enough (less than 3 km/h) to give the driver enough reaction time.
• Effectiveness also depends on the driver. Looking over your shoulder, checking the display image and mirrors frequently, improves the chances of detecting obstacles.

These systems do not replace careful driving.

Drivers who trust these systems too much may be less careful when driving in reverse (not looking out for pedestrians or small children; use the mirrors less; make fewer shoulder checks; and drive too quickly).

Backing aids are designed primarily to help you park. Don’t rely on them to detect pedestrians or small children. Remain alert whenever you drive in reverse, especially when small children could be in the area.

About Deutschmann Law

Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.

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