In searching for a new vehicle myself, I wanted to find out if any new standards where going to be set in place by the Safety Administration. I recently came across an article in Light & Medium Truck . There is a new rule proposed by Congress. It’s called the ” Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act of 2007″. As horrible as you can imagine this is a true story about Cameron Gulbransen, he was 2 years old when his father accidentally backed over him in the driveway.
There is a new proposal from the US Dept of Transportation for all passenger vehicles under 10,000 lbs (passenger cars, SUV’s, pick-up trucks, minivans, buses and low-speed vehicles) to be equipped with a rear view system, they are proposing this to be completed by 2014.
The Safety Administration wants all drivers to able to see directly behind them when a transmission is put into reverse. They said, about 140 fatalities from pickup trucks and SUV are the cause of mostly children killed each year by drivers not knowing if someone was behind the vehicle. They expect that all automobile manufactures will include the rear view system as a standard feature after 2014. The rule will start to phase in by 10% late 2012, than 40% by 2013 and 100% by 2014.
Will you be ready for this safety act as it comes along? I think if it saves a life it is worth every penny, but how will it affect your fleet?