Transport Minister Marc Garneau has proposed new regulations that will require rear-visibility systems on all new vehicles sold in Canada to help drivers see behind their vehicle when they back up.
Garneau made the announcement at an elementary school in Ottawa on Monday, making the connection to Halloween trick-or-treating, where it is often difficult for drivers to see families out for the festivities.
Garneau says the required cameras will help all new car owners with improved visibility to spot people and objects while reversing a vehicle.
Rear-view cameras can already be found on a number of vehicles offering enhanced safety features.
Garneau says he plans “to make rear-view cameras and displays standard equipment on all new vehicles, including base models. This helps children be seen and provides Canadians with one of the best safety technology systems to reduce back-over collisions.”
A press release from Transport Canada says that from 2004 to 2009, so called ‘back-over crashes’ were responsible for more than 1,500 injuries and 27 deaths in Canada.
Agencies/Canadajournal