Rearview Cameras
The stand-alone Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act was passed into law and signed by President Bush in February of 2008 requiring ALL vehicles sold or leased in the US to come with a rearview camera as standard equipment as of May, 2018. The number of reported backover incidents are beginning to decrease as more vehicles are purchased with rearview cameras.
With the popularity of SUVs, trucks and larger vehicles, blindzones are an increasing problem. Rearview cameras can be purchased online or at a local auto shop and added to any vehicle. Remember, you cannot avoid hitting someone you cannot see.
Learn more below.
The Rear Visibility Standard
March 31, 2014
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a long-delayed auto safety standard to improve vehicle’s’ rear visibility and prevent deaths that occur when drivers back into people whom they cannot see. In a 2008 law named after Cameron Gulbransen, who was killed in such a crash at age 2, Congress directed DOT to issue a rear visibility standard by 2011. The Obama Administration flouted the deadline and did not issue the rule until March 31, 2014, after a coalition of safety advocates, including Cameron’s father, sued DOT. DOT issued the new standard one day before a federal appeals court was to hear argument on whether to order DOT to do so.
How a small White House agency stalls life-saving regulations (Oct. 28, 2015, Reuters, Scot Paltrow)
Federal Register: Rear Visibility Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
Press Releases
- Rearview cameras FINALLY become standard on ALL new vehicles – 4/30/2018
- Government Finally Issues Rear Visibility Safety Rule for Vehicles, Will Save Lives After Years of Needless Delay (March 31, 2014)
- Court To Hear Argument on Obama Administration’s Failure to Issue Auto Safety Rule Mandated by Congress as Fatalities Continue to Mount (March 28, 2014)
- As Death Toll Grows, Obama Administration’s Transportation Department Sued for Failing to Issue Auto Safety Rule Mandated by Congress. Bipartisan 2008 Law Supported by Then-Senator Obama Ordered Agency to Issue Rear Visibility Rule by 2011. (Sept. 25, 2013)
- 4 die every week as DOT delays rule to prevent backover deaths. (June 21, 2013)
- Families of Children Killed in Car Backover Incidents and Safety Groups Urge Obama Administration to Take Action on Rearview Cameras in Cars; Release the Rear Visibility Standard Press Event (April 11, 2013)
- KidsAndCars.org says rulemaking delay on child backover deaths disappointing (Feb. 29. 2012)
- No More Backing Blind (Dec. 3, 2010)
- New report undercounts statistics regarding children left behind in hot cars (June 9, 2009)
- KidsAndCars.org Research Validated by Federal Government Report (Jan. 29, 2009)
- Consumer, Safety Advocates Join With Victims To Celebrate New Law Protecting Children In And Around Motor Vehicles (April 9, 2008)
- Safe Guards Protecting Children in and Around Vehicles Becomes Law (Feb. 29, 2008)
- Clinton Hails Final Passage Of Kids And Cars Safety Legislation; Meets With Affected Ohio Family (Feb. 15, 2008)
- Parents, Consumer and Safety Groups Give a Standing Ovation to the Senate for passing the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act Today (Feb. 14, 2008)
- Parents, Consumer and Safety Groups Applaud House Committee Action Today for Passing the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Act; Child Safety Bill Sponsored by Representatives Schakowsky (D-IL) and King (R-NY) Clears House Committee Hurdle (Dec. 18, 2007)
- California Trauma Teams Unite To Reduce Child Injuries And Deaths Due To Vehicle Backovers (May 21, 2007)
- Child Safety Advocates and Consumer Groups Applaud Senate Committee Action Today to Stop Deaths and Injuries of Children Due to Motor Vehicle Design Flaws (May 16, 2007)
- Child Safety Advocates and Victims Join Senators Clinton and Sununu and Representatives Schakowsky and King to Demand Passage of Tougher Laws to Stop Deaths and Injuries of Children Due to Motor Vehicle Design Flaws (Feb. 27, 2007)
- Government Vehicle Backover Report Confirms Urgent Need for Visibility Safety Standard (Nov. 14, 2006)
- Motor Vehicle Dangers That Are An Easy Fix Continue to Kill and Injure Children (Sept. 6, 2006)
- Child Safety Advocates Join Victims On Capitol Hill To Push For Passage of Tougher Laws To Keep Children Safe In And Around Cars (March 9, 2006)
- Senator Clinton Announces Legislation To Protect Children In And Around Vehicles (Oct. 31, 2005)
- Consumer, Safety Groups Applaud Important Child-Car Safety Measures Approved in Today’s Highway Bill (July 29, 2005)
- Lawmakers Must Keep Life-Saving Auto Safety Improvements in Highway Bill, Public Safety Groups, Survivor Advocates Say (July 21, 2005)
- Three Children Killed Each Week in Preventable Auto-Related Deaths Focus of Coalition’s Campaign (May 24, 2005)
History
- Cameron Gulbransen Press Event Fact Sheet UPDATED 9-25
- Speaker Bios for 25 Sep 2013 Press Call
- Letter to DOT Secretary Foxx on Rear Visibility Standard – 25 Sep 2013
- Gulbransen Letter (February 2, 2013)
- What the Driver Sees: Image
Family Stories
