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| The majestic Chevy Tahoe in its natural environment. |
When
the topic of cameras comes to mind, I always think back to 2007, when my dad
ordered a new, fully loaded Chevy Tahoe. It was by far the largest vehicle my
family had ever owned, but most excitingly, it was the first vehicle I’d ever
come across that had one of the biggest tech innovations at the time – a backup
camera. According to Edmunds, it weighed in at just under 2.5 metric tonnes and over 5 metres in length. If any vehicle needed a
backup camera, it was this one.
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| Overhead views makes parking in tight spaces a breeze. |
To
say that backup cameras were a great innovation would be an understatement.
While they make life easier for motorists that dislike looking over their
shoulder while reversing, they most importantly provide an unprecedented level
of safety for preventing rearward collisions.
Did
you know that on average, over 200 people die each year after being struck by
reversing cars, in addition to 15,000 others being injured? That number is
staggering, which is why thanks to the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, backup cameras will become standard by law in 2018.
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| New front-facing cameras help give drivers a 360° view. |
I’m
really happy to see this become a standard piece of equipment on new cars,
considering that nearly a decade ago, this was a “luxury option” that cost
thousands of dollars. Now, automakers are expanding from including only a
backup camera, to including a system of (at least) four cameras that produce a
360° image. This of course means that you’ll be
able to see what’s in front, behind, and on both sides of you.
I’ve had the chance to
drive a new Mercedes with the 360° camera system on it, and I think it’s
fantastic. One day, I’m sure this feature will come standard on all cars, and
it’ll help not only those among us that "park by braille", but will also lead to fewer avoidable injuries and deaths. So
next time you see someone reversing towards you, be sure to smile for the camera.
