NHTSA Seeks to Reduce Back-Over Fatalities

By Heather Siladi

Published on January 09, 2007

The actual statistics regarding back-over accidents can only be estimated because most of these crashes occur on private property and are not recorded in state or federal crash databases. The NHSTA supplemented its crash records with death certificate reports, and estimates that back-over accidents cause at least 183 fatalities and between 6,700 and 7,419 injuries per year.

Many companies have developed technologies designed to alert a driver when an object is in the vehicle’s path while backing up. Most of these devices are marketed as “parking aids” or “safety devices.” These technologies include sensor-based systems (ultrasonic and radar) and camera-based systems.

The NHTSA concluded that sensor-based systems are not reliable for preventing back-over accidents because by the time the sensor detects an object in the vehicle’s path, there is not sufficient time for the driver to stop.

Camera-based systems are more reliable for preventing back-over crashes, but the NHSTA cautioned that they have not yet conducted enough research to endorse these systems as a dependable means for preventing back-over accidents. It should be taken into account that weather and lighting conditions will affect visibility, and that drivers require practice to get used to using the system.

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