NCL expresses disappointment over DOT delay in rear camera rule – National Consumers League

February 29, 2012

Contact: NCL Communications, (202) 835-3323, media@nclnet.org

Washington, DC–The National Consumers League (NCL) expressed disappointment and dismay over the Department of Transportation’s decision to delay yet again rear view camera rule until December 31, 2012.

“This delay makes no sense,” said Sally Greenberg, NCL Executive Director. “Forty-five percent of cars already have cameras as standard equipment. Consumers love having them, automakers are using them across their fleets, and they add an invaluable measure of safety to protect especially young children from being backed over and injured or killed.”

Greenberg, while working at Consumers Union before coming to NCL, worked closely with the group Kids and Cars to get legislation enacted requiring the federal auto safety agency to adopt a rearward visibility standard. In that process, the agency then determined that cameras were the most effective means for accurately viewing the area behind the vehicle.

Around 300 people are killed and 18,000 injured each year because of back-over accidents, according to NHTSA data. Many occur in driveways and parking lots with nearly half the deaths involve children under age 5. The elderly also are victims.

“We’re disappointed; this is a setback for safety. More than a year ago, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration proposed requiring improved driver rear visibility in new vehicles. The regulations were to be phased in, applying to all cars and light trucks by the 2014 model year. Now we have another delay because of industry pressure. Consumers have waited long enough,” said Greenberg. “the lives of small children are at stake. Their lives must take precedence over yet another industry objection to full implementation of this rule.”

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About the National Consumers League

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.