The Dog & Lemon Guide, Plunket Society and Consumer New Zealand are calling for the wider use of reversing cameras as a means of reducing driveway deaths. Reversing cameras, which show the driver what's behind the vehicle using a small video screen on the car's dashboard, are an expensive option on many new vehicles but are widely available as accessories for between $130 and $700. They can usually be fitted by any competent home handyman, or a professional installation may cost between $100-$200.
Reversing cameras warn the driver if a child is behind the vehicle. Dog & Lemon Guide editor Clive Matthew-Wilson says:
"A small child may be invisible to the driver of a reversing vehicle. The most cost-effective solution to this problem is to remove the blind spot behind the vehicle using a reversing camera."
Hamish Wilson from Consumer New Zealand says:
"The problem is simple: the drivers of most modern cars have very poor visibility through the rear window of their vehicle. Parking sensors can help: they beep as the driver reverses towards an object, but parking sensors only tell the driver that something is behind him, not what and where. We support the use of reversing cameras as the most effective means of preventing driveway reversing accidents."
Plunket's National Child Safety Advisor, Sue Campbell says:
"Adults must drive carefully wherever children are around. However, the reality is, children do unexpected things and the adult driving a reversing car doesn't always notice in time. Plunket supports the use of reversing cameras on all vehicles, especially vehicles operated around young children."
