What year did backup cameras become standard in cars by law? On May 01, 2018, backup cameras became common for all types of vehicles and some types of trucks in the United States of America (U.S.A.).
Using backup cameras in cars was non-compulsory before 2018. But some users and brands practiced using backup cameras before the date. After being mandatory, driving and manufacturing cars without backup cameras has been prohibited in the U.S.A.
NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) suggested that the legal requirement of using backup cameras for cars will help prevent reversing or backover accidents that cause injuries and deaths.
Attempting to reverse a car without a backup camera is extremely dangerous. It can hurt other persons, kids, and animals by making a collision to damage the vehicle itself.
We’ve prepared a complete story regarding what year backup cameras were required in cars by law. Also, you’ll learn the reasons and risks of driving a car without backup cameras.
What Year Did Backup Cameras Become Standard By Law?
The NHTSA started to apply the law that car manufacturers and owners must add and practice backup cameras on their vehicles from the 1st of May 2018. After this date, driving a car without backup cameras is illegal. The law is also applicable to light trucks.
Then, all car manufacturers produce cars and trucks with backup cameras. And it’s tough to overlook the importance of using backup cameras to drive your car safely.
Mostly, you can’t take your car reverse in safety without using a backup camera. Therefore, using backup cameras became mandatory officially and morally.
What Year Did The Backup Camera Start At first – The History
Yeah, we knew it; you’d ask: what year was the backup camera introduced? The backup camera was introduced with the Buick Centurion car in January 1956.
This initial backup camera-enabled car was manufactured by General Motors (Motorama). They made this backup camera using a TV camera on the rear of the car and a TV monitor on the car dashboard.
You must laugh today when you imagine this primary car with a backup camera. The face and look of the recent backup cameras are completely different.
Let’s be serious because we’ll learn about the contemporary looks of backup cameras. Although it took a long time to get the expected shape of the backup camera, it finally came on the market in 2014.
Then, the NHTSA declared that all US vehicles must use backup cameras by 2019. They applied the law for all sorts of automobiles and trucks by the declaration.
Why Is It The Importance Of Using Backup Cameras In Cars?
Why and what is rear camera in car? A rear or backup camera on your car gives you a rear view of your car. It helps you get your car reversed for parking or positioning. You’ll find it beneficial to buy a car with backup cameras.
Here are some reasons to use backup cameras for your car. Before we get into the discussion, look at the summary of the causes and issues you may face if you don’t have backup cameras in your car.
| Reasons To Use Backup Cameras | Issues In The Absence Of Backup cameras |
| You can avoid possible bind spots | Unexpected collisions or accidents |
| Parking your car easily | Collision/heating other cars behind |
| Bring you back when stuck in traffic | Crashes with cars in reverse |
| Save your kids & pets behind | You may drive over by kids & pets |
| Decrease the insurance premiums | You should pay higher rates |
| No Stress About Reverse View | Vulnerable to collisions |
You Can Avoid Potential Blind Spots
It’s not always wise to depend on your car's rearview mirror to get a detailed view of the rear side. Also, you can’t look back on your shoulder whenever you need to reverse your vehicle.
They’ll not give you a correct view of the flip side rather than blind spots. Parking or positioning your car with blind spots depends on good fortune. If you’re misfortunate, you’ll go through some unpredictable situations, like deadly accidents.
Using backup cameras can save you from all types of issues that you find to reverse your car. Otherwise, be prepared to deal with bad luck whenever you want to get your car backward.
Parking Your Car Is Just Got Easy
Parking a car in a precise area is a trickier driving ability. However, it’d be a more straightforward task when your car has backup cameras. They’ll give you the real and live rearview to set your car in the correct parking position. Thus, you can avoid any potential collisions while parking your car.
Bring You Back When Stuck In Traffic
Getting stuck in a traffic jam is very simple for most car users. And nobody wants to find them in this situation. If your car has backup cameras, you can take out of traffic.
The backup cameras will give you the rear view. So, you’ll be able to get your car back if there is enough space. As a result, you don’t need to wait and waste time for clearing the traffic.
Save Your Kids & Pets Behind The Car
They’re most likely three feet or less if you have kids and pets. You’d not see them on the rearview mirror for their smaller height. Therefore, they’re highly vulnerable to catch by accidents.
But no worries! If you have backup cameras in your car, they’ll give you a backside view when you need to get your car reversed. Paying more for a car with a good backup camera is better than paying someone or something you don’t want to lose.
Decrease The Insurance Premiums
If you have teenagers, they must be new drivers too. And you have added them to your insurance policy. Insurers prioritize and provide lower rates the cars with active backup cameras. They know that backup cameras increase the awareness of drivers to avoid collisions.
No Stress About Reverse View
Driving a car on the roads is very stressful for new users (even for many older people). You can be free of stress regarding the rearview when you have backup cameras in your cars. They allow you to see the flipside, and you have nothing to worry about regarding potential collisions.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
When Did NHTSA Make Mandatory Backup Cameras In The US?
The NHTSA made backup cameras compulsory from the first of May 2018. They planned a regulation in 2016 and made it effective in May 2018. Initially, the backup camera law 2018 made it mandatory for cars and light trucks. Then, they declared it applies to all types of automotive in the United States.
What Year Did Toyota Start Putting Backup Cameras In Cars?
In 1991, Toyota initiated using backup cameras in their cars. They installed backup cameras on UZZ31 and UZZ32 under the Toyota Soarer Limited. These two car models were offered only in Japan.
What Year Did Honda Start Putting Backup Cameras In Cars?
In 2013, Honda started installing backup cameras in their cars. So, you’ll not get backup cameras in Honda cars manufactured before 2013. But you can use aftermarket backup cameras in most Honda models.
Is A Backup Camera And A Rearview Camera The Same?
No, there are differences between a backup and a rearview camera. Backup cameras turn on automatically when you want to reverse your car. But you must switch on a rearview camera to view the backside.
What Was The First Car With Backup Cameras?
The Toyota Lexus SC UZZ31 and Toyota Lexus SC UZZ32 were the first cars with backup cameras. They were produced and available in Japan.
The Bottom Line
Hopefully, you got the answer to the question: what year did backup cameras become standard? In the US, the NHTSA made backup cameras mandatory in May 2018 for cars and light trucks.
Backup cameras can give a more accessible and safer driving experience. They’re vital for you to keep you protected from any miserable situations.
Above all, we suggest you avoid driving a car without backup cameras. If your car has no backup cameras, you can easily get them from aftermarket stores.