Reversing cameras can prevent driveway injuries – experts

A group of safety experts has repeated its call for drivers to use reversing cameras after a toddler was hit by a reversing car outside a South Auckland kindergarten.

The Dog & Lemon Guide, the AA,  Plunket Society and Consumer New Zealand are calling for the wider use of reversing cameras as a means of reducing driveway deaths.

Reversing cameras show the driver what’s behind the vehicle using a small video screen on the car’s dashboard. They are an expensive option on many new vehicles but are widely available as accessories for between $110 and $700. They can usually be fitted by any competent home handyperson, or a professional installation may cost between $100 and $200.

Dog & Lemon Guide editor Clive Matthew-Wilson says:

“A small child may be invisible to the driver of a reversing vehicle.  The most cost-effective solution to this problem is to remove the  blind spot behind the vehicle using a reversing camera.”

AA general manager Mike Noon says:

“The AA encourages families with young children to consider options to improve driveway safety like reversing cameras, parking sensors or installing safety mirrors on their driveways.

If families are considering upgrading their car, the AA recommends choosing a model with reversing cameras or parking sensors. If these aren’t fitted then installing a good quality aftermarket camera or driveway mirrors may be an option although none of these replace the drivers’ responsibility to check the way is clear every time before reversing.”

Hamish Wilson from Consumer New Zealand says:

“The problem is simple: the drivers of most modern cars can’t see  what’s directly below the rear window of their vehicles.  Parking  sensors help: they beep as the driver reverses towards an object, but  parking sensors only tell the driver that something is behind him, not  what and where. We support the use of reversing cameras as the most  effective means of preventing driveway reversing accidents .”

Plunket's National Child Safety Advisor  Sue Campbell says:

 “Adults must drive  carefully wherever children are around. However, the reality is,  children do unexpected things and the adult driving a reversing car  doesn’t always notice in time. Plunket supports the use of reversing  cameras on all vehicles, especially vehicles operated around young  children.”

A recent report by the New Zealand Medical Journal revealed that New Zealand’s driveway deaths are the highest in the OECD.