Make Reversing Cameras Compulsory on all new vehicles.

imugli · 29-09-2011, 12:13 AM

Peeps,

As most of you would have read over the past few days (and in fact the last 12 months or so) the number of children being hurt or killed by reversing vehicles is becoming alarming.

Now, I'm not one to encourage government intervention in a lot of things, but I feel this is important.

Reversing Camera's have now been around for a number of years and the price of them has come down dramatically.

I believe it is now time that we called on our State and Government officials to legislate to make reversing cameras compulsory on all new vehicles sold.

To this end, I have created an online petition at

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/m...erasmandatory/

that I plan to submit to MPs to be tabled in Parliament.

As I'm sure all the dads on here could attest to, I don't know what I would do if I lost my little boy in this manner, given that it is so easily preventable.

Please take the time to sign the online petition and help it get to parliament.

Cheers,

Justin.

pottery beige · 29-09-2011, 12:53 AM

i backed over my neighbours cat the other week.. took me months of trying.. would have been much easier with a reversing camera......

fmc351 · 29-09-2011, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pottery beige

i backed over my neighbours cat the other week.. took me months of trying.. would have been much easier with a reversing camera......

Bowl of milk is cheaper.

pottery beige · 29-09-2011, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fmc351

Bowl of milk is cheaper.

new cat is a quick little bastard.. thanks for the tip....

XRGhia · 29-09-2011, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pottery beige

i backed over my neighbours cat the other week.. took me months of trying.. would have been much easier with a reversing camera......

Quote:

Originally Posted by pottery beige

new cat is a quick little bastard.. thanks for the tip....

You never fail to make me laugh...!!

imugli · 29-09-2011, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pottery beige

i backed over my neighbours cat the other week.. took me months of trying.. would have been much easier with a reversing camera......

JC · 29-09-2011, 01:16 AM

It's not about cameras - it's about stupid parents not knowing where their kids are. Why would you reverse when there's a 2 year old or 3 year old around the car - they should be in the car, or in the house. We have 2 x 8 year olds and 1 x 6 year old, and they really have little sense around the car, so when we are moving it, they are either in it, or well clear of it where we can see them.

fmc351 · 29-09-2011, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

It's not about cameras - it's about stupid parents not knowing where their kids are. Why would you reverse when there's a 2 year old or 3 year old around the car - they should be in the car, or in the house. We have 2 x 8 year olds and 1 x 6 year old, and they really have little sense around the car, so when we are moving it, they are either in it, or well clear of it where we can see them.

We did the same thing, he's 16 now and we still kind of keep a close eye on things to his dismay.

Its a bit harsh but mate, they are quick like the above mentioned cat. Some of these accidents arent your average stupid drongo, they can and do happen to knowledgeable people who just happen to make a massive mistake at the wrong time. Its probably happened to others too but the circumstances didnt lead to a kid being run over, we just hear about the hit, not the misses.

Its not a bad idea, I know a fiend of ours who bought a new soft roader had one fitted, it was one of her insistences. Funnily enough as cheap as they are aftermarket, she was stung $1400 for it IIRC through a red stealership.

imugli · 29-09-2011, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

It's not about cameras - it's about stupid parents not knowing where their kids are. Why would you reverse when there's a 2 year old or 3 year old around the car - they should be in the car, or in the house. We have 2 x 8 year olds and 1 x 6 year old, and they really have little sense around the car, so when we are moving it, they are either in it, or well clear of it where we can see them.

As is my 15 month old. He's inside the car, or inside the house. Unfortunately, some people are not as smart as you or I.

But here's a thought...

Your 8 year old is at a friend's house and that friend's *stupid* mother backs over your kid and hurts (or worse) them.

You take the mother to court and she get's put in the slammer. Do you get your kid back?

It doesn't have to be you that hits your kid.

JC · 29-09-2011, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imugli

As is my 15 month old. He's inside the car, or inside the house. Unfortunately, some people are not as smart as you or I.

But here's a thought...

Your 8 year old is at a friend's house and that friend's *stupid* mother backs over your kid and hurts (or worse) them.

You take the mother to court and she get's put in the slammer. Do you get your kid back?

It doesn't have to be you that hits your kid.

Fair point - and if that ever happened, I reckon I'd be locked up too.........

We have cameras on both our cars as a precaution, but the major responsibility of a parent is to reasonably keep your kids safe, not to buy cameras for cars.

Sox · 29-09-2011, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

Fair point - and if that ever happened, I reckon I'd be locked up too.........

We have cameras on both our cars as a precaution, but the major responsibility of a parent is to reasonably keep your kids safe, not to buy cameras for cars.

Not that I disagree with you, in fact I agree with your first post above, however it could be said that by being a responsible parent the installation of cameras is assisting in keeping kids safe.

My views may also be less relevant because I have no kids, but I see the value of 'things' which may save lives (real things, not stupid speed cameras and the like).

I'm also normally against big brother enforcing these 'things', but I think we need to keep a pretty open mind when it's very likely that kids lives may be saved.

kaniSS · 29-09-2011, 09:33 AM

Have you guys seen the way people reverse these days? They look forwards and use the reverse mirror and side mirrors to go backwards. How can you reverse safely while you are facing the front of the car?

I turn my whole body around almost 180degrees, put my left arm around the passengers seat and look right out the back window and use my right hand to manoeuvre the car as I reverse. I have never had any problems or hit anything in my life while using this method.

rocket67 · 29-09-2011, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

It's not about cameras - it's about stupid parents not knowing where their kids are. Why would you reverse when there's a 2 year old or 3 year old around the car - they should be in the car, or in the house. We have 2 x 8 year olds and 1 x 6 year old, and they really have little sense around the car, so when we are moving it, they are either in it, or well clear of it where we can see them.

JC, Good post. Agree for the most part. Parents need to take responsibility and ensure their children are well away, or inside the car.

You can`t always legislate against stupidity.

A little girl in the next street was killed in the same manner a few years back. Her father was backing his work van out of the driveway. I had noticed prior to this that their children regularly played in the front yard and wondered why the parents allowed this.They had a big backyard.
Still have a feeling of sadness every time i drive down that street.

Rocket.

RedHotGT · 29-09-2011, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

It's not about cameras - it's about stupid parents not knowing where their kids are. Why would you reverse when there's a 2 year old or 3 year old around the car - they should be in the car, or in the house. We have 2 x 8 year olds and 1 x 6 year old, and they really have little sense around the car, so when we are moving it, they are either in it, or well clear of it where we can see them.

JC - I'm amazed that is your opinion on this discussion given that you are a parent. of multiple young kids... Despite how well you try to teach kids, as you would well know - they are blissfully unaware of how dangerous some simple situations can be.

I have 4 kids under 7, and can think of a number of situations where this could happen... For instance, times where I am in the car alone or with 1-2 of my kids, and the others are still inside the house (with my wife).... Then without me knowing as I concentrate on reversing, my 2 1/2 year old (who is very resourceful) has managed to open the front door, and run beside the car (which I wouldn't see anyway with a camera) and then behind it...

These accidents (which are accidents) most likely happen when the driver is unaware that the kids are right next to - or behind the vehicle. It's almost always an SUV or 4x4 - not a sedan - that is involved with these accidents. Obviously it is the higher driving position/reduced visibility that causes the accident to occur.

I think suggesting reverse cameras to be compulsory is a knee-jerk reaction.... but it does have some merit... Though in some cases, I'm sure that even a reverse camera may not have avoided the accident anyway. As I pointed out, my 2 1/2 year old would not be seen out of the windows of my Territory if he was standing beside, infront, or behind it... If he was to run beside the car, and then behind it - reverse camera or not, I probably still wouldn't have seen him until it was too late.

I think you can NEVER be too careful with kids... and teaching them strict rules inside and outside a car is very important... And I would hate to be in the same situation as some of these families who have lost their young child...

But just remember - Accidents do happen...

JC · 29-09-2011, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loftie

JC - I'm amazed that is your opinion on this discussion given that you are a parent. of multiple young kids... Despite how well you try to teach kids, as you would well know - they are blissfully unaware of how dangerous some simple situations can be.

I have 4 kids under 7, and can think of a number of situations where this could happen... For instance, times where I am in the car alone or with 1-2 of my kids, and the others are still inside the house (with my wife).... Then without me knowing as I concentrate on reversing, my 2 1/2 year old (who is very resourceful) has managed to open the front door, and run beside the car (which I wouldn't see anyway with a camera) and then behind it...

These accidents (which are accidents) most likely happen when the driver is unaware that the kids are right next to - or behind the vehicle. It's almost always an SUV or 4x4 - not a sedan - that is involved with these accidents. Obviously it is the higher driving position/reduced visibility that causes the accident to occur.

I think suggesting reverse cameras to be compulsory is a knee-jerk reaction.... but it does have some merit... Though in some cases, I'm sure that even a reverse camera may not have avoided the accident anyway. As I pointed out, my 2 1/2 year old would not be seen out of the windows of my Territory if he was standing beside, infront, or behind it... If he was to run beside the car, and then behind it - reverse camera or not, I probably still wouldn't have seen him until it was too late.

I think you can NEVER be too careful with kids... and teaching them strict rules inside and outside a car is very important... And I would hate to be in the same situation as some of these families who have lost their young child...

But just remember - Accidents do happen...

Sorry, but why are you amazed that I think parents ought to be responsible? Can't expect the kids to be, so it is the parent's role.

I have cameras on my cars to be able to see better - they are an aid in addition to the normal head checks and usage of mirrors. We have had 2 SUVs in the last 5 years (before that mostly sedans) and we wouldn't have an SUV without a camera - in fact my after seeing our setup, brother put one on his focus because the rear visibility is so poor.

I actually agree that cameras are good - what I disagree with is all these laws designed to legislate because of the stupidity of others. Pretty soon they'll make it illegal to trip down the stairs, with mandatory jail time for a toe stub, or 3 months home detention for dislocating a finger while trying to catch a cricket ball. How stupid do those things sound? About as stupid as mandating cameras for stupid people, IMO. Is it unfortunate that a kid was killed by being reversed over by his mother? Absolutely! Should the mother be allowed to hold a licence? Probably not. Does the father that was apparently playing ball with the son feel bad? Probably. But had he had more sense, he would've held the kid while the mother was reversing.

Just on the last bit, if I see someone get into a Holden, a camry or a subaru in a carpark, I seriously tell my kids to steer more clear of the car than they normally would.

**Giant Cranium** · 29-09-2011, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

It's not about cameras - it's about stupid parents not knowing where their kids are. Why would you reverse when there's a 2 year old or 3 year old around the car - they should be in the car, or in the house. We have 2 x 8 year olds and 1 x 6 year old, and they really have little sense around the car, so when we are moving it, they are either in it, or well clear of it where we can see them.

mate of mine had a old 1 tonner and nearly ran over a toddler. was working on the parents house and then hoped in his ute and it wasnt till he started to move that he saw a kids head. found out that the kid was sitting on the tow bar. a reverse camera would have helped then

irish2 · 29-09-2011, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captain awesome

mate of mine had a old 1 tonner and nearly ran over a toddler. was working on the parents house and then hoped in his ute and it wasnt till he started to move that he saw a kids head. found out that the kid was sitting on the tow bar. a reverse camera would have helped then

How so? He spotted the kid and prevented a problem by using his eyes.

Thornie · 30-09-2011, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

It's not about cameras - it's about stupid parents not knowing where their kids are. Why would you reverse when there's a 2 year old or 3 year old around the car - they should be in the car, or in the house. We have 2 x 8 year olds and 1 x 6 year old, and they really have little sense around the car, so when we are moving it, they are either in it, or well clear of it where we can see them.

This exactly. I chuck my little one in the car if i have to move it and I am home alone if the missus is home i make sure she is locked inside

geckoGT · 30-09-2011, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RaTTuS

This exactly. I chuck my little one in the car if i have to move it and I am home alone if the missus is home i make sure she is locked inside

Can't your missus be trusted around cars, you have to lock her inside?

pottery beige · 29-09-2011, 01:54 AM

cameras do not see all.. and possibly make the lazy even lazier these new fandangled people movers and their ground clearance can make them really cool things to hide or climb under.. nothing on the screen hit R for racing.... good idea but no substitute keeping an actual eye on the little buggers.....

Franco Cozzo · 29-09-2011, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pottery beige

cameras do not see all.. and possibly make the lazy even lazier these new fandangled people movers and their ground clearance can make them really cool things to hide or climb under.. nothing on the screen hit R for racing.... good idea but no substitute keeping an actual eye on the little buggers.....

The reverse camera we fit to our ambulances is useless I reckon, well the paramedics who drive them still manage to smash the rear step and reverse sensors with it all the time regardless of their reverse camera, reverse sensors and the reverse buzzer which goes spastic when you get close to something.

Its very hard to judge distances with reverse cameras, and 99% of them are on some crappy low resolution china special screen which makes it even harder because you can't see crap over the interferrance or low quality video.

The VE SV6 Commodore we have at work has a reverse camera, luckily it has markings, which are supposed to tell you how far you are away from an object (probably state what they are in the manual), but it won't tell you about their towbar or other low lying objects the sensors won't pick up which you can't really make out because of the crappy screen/camera combo.

geckoGT · 29-09-2011, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Damo

The reverse camera we fit to our ambulances is useless I reckon, well the paramedics who drive them still manage to smash the rear step and reverse sensors with it all the time regardless of their reverse camera, reverse sensors and the reverse buzzer which goes spastic when you get close to something.

Its very hard to judge distances with reverse cameras, and 99% of them are on some crappy low resolution china special screen which makes it even harder because you can't see crap over the interferrance or low quality video.

The VE SV6 Commodore we have at work has a reverse camera, luckily it has markings, which are supposed to tell you how far you are away from an object (probably state what they are in the manual), but it won't tell you about their towbar or other low lying objects the sensors won't pick up which you can't really make out because of the crappy screen/camera combo.

The cameras we have on our new cars are high resolution colour screens with clarity almost as good as my iphone4 and distance graduations marked in metres.

The reverse sensors on the other hand are a complete load of crap that malfunction so much that we no longer take any notice of them. Most of the time they will go nuts as if you are about to hit something when you are reversing on flat ground with no obstructions.

When looking at the number of ambulances with damage to rear step, consider the environment in which we work. Often tight driveways at night with all sorts of retaining walls, fences, post etc whilst we have some urgency to get going and in an area that was designed for turning a 4.5m car, not a 7+m ambulance.

Franco Cozzo · 30-09-2011, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geckoGT

The cameras we have on our new cars are high resolution colour screens with clarity almost as good as my iphone4 and distance graduations marked in metres.

The reverse sensors on the other hand are a complete load of crap that malfunction so much that we no longer take any notice of them. Most of the time they will go nuts as if you are about to hit something when you are reversing on flat ground with no obstructions.

When looking at the number of ambulances with damage to rear step, consider the environment in which we work. Often tight driveways at night with all sorts of retaining walls, fences, post etc whilst we have some urgency to get going and in an area that was designed for turning a 4.5m car, not a 7+m ambulance.

Your QLD ambulances must have better monitors and cameras as the ones we fit is absolutely hopeless for Victorian ambulances, you could see better drunk.

We know the issue with the sensors going nuts on flat ground with no obstructions, its because the ones we fit are crappy and seem to pick up the ground more than anything else and the way the rear step is and how the sensors are positioned but the heads of the department don't give a crap about it so we have to do it the same.

happy1 · 29-09-2011, 01:54 AM

Having reverse camera by itself will probably not prevent all accidents. There are a lot of distracted drivers, and it sounds like a lot of accidents for example happens by drivers by mistake hitting the throttle instead of the brake pedal. With this 'quality' of drivers, how can you expect them to stare at a reverse camera screen. My personal opinion is that some drivers are probably more dangerous if they only look at the reverse camera screen.

What about reverse sensors? Supposed to beep if some object is in the way.. The driver still needs to be awake enough to realize what is happening.

In the future probably there will be active systems that will intervene with driver errors, for example if an object is in the way, the car will apply brakes even if the driver attempts to hit the throttle.

imugli · 29-09-2011, 02:26 AM

The system I'm thinking of places the image in your rear-view mirror as long as your car is in reverse gear. That way, it's not another screen to have to look at...

Jim Goose · 29-09-2011, 05:44 AM

What about people who have old cars? What would be the point?
There would still be tens of thousands of cars/ vehicles out there not fitted with cameras.
Why is it we need to keep introducing legislation because of laziness and stupidity of others?

fat4D · 29-09-2011, 06:13 AM

like already stated if you have little kids Dont be a dipstick they are either where you can see them near the front of the car, in it or with the other parent/adult inside the house... Unless you have a common practice of leaving your kids on the lawn while you run to the shops. On the camera thing. People are so lazy as it is. Next people will want a camera in all blind spots

gtxb67 · 29-09-2011, 06:37 AM

not having the pleasure of owning children, maybe my thoughts are irrelevant
would it not be feasible to reverse into the driveway. it seems to me that in most, if not all cases that having started reversing at the road, the view behind would be so much better. even if a child ran out of the house while reversing, the driver would be able to see them - providing they were looking
I realise not all of these tragedies would be prevented by driving out, but I think it would be a fairly good precaution

aussie muscle · 29-09-2011, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtxb67

it seems to me that in most, if not all cases that having started reversing at the road, the view behind would be so much better. even if a child ran out of the house while reversing, the driver would be able to see them - providing they were looking

of course, this supposes that drivers can actually back into a driveway. i'm sure most can't.

i'm pretty good at backing with mirrors, because you can't see much out back of a XR8 with a bulge hard tonneau cover. that and we have reverse-in (rear to kerb) parking, so you soon learn how to back up.

i guess this idea will eventually get up, i mean how would you feel having killed your own child. i can't imagine what that's like.

**Jastel** · 29-09-2011, 07:51 PM

I am not a fan of "compulsory" anything by the goverment, there is far too much "Big Brother" in our lives already.

The technology will filter down slowly like everything else has. And then when it doesn't work at roadworthy time we can all just say, "But you can use the mirrors!"....NOT.

There are no such things as accidents, there are mistakes, and they may or may not have consequences.