New safety feature

YOU hear from time to time of an accident where a child is run over in the driveway of their home.
The unbelievable reality, according to Kidsafe (formerly the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia) is that every week this tragedy happens somewhere in Australia. Yet, according to the RACV, less than one per cent of the vehicles tested this year as part of their Reversing Visibility Index survey received the maximum five star rating.
The index, which measures how well a driver can see out the back of a car, revealed that a number of vehicle types, especially family sedans have hazardous reversing blind areas.
RACV chief engineer – vehicles, Michael Case, said 270 vehicles were tested as part of the unique program.
“Although the performance of family sedans is disappointing, the news isn’t all bad,” he said.
“Car manufacturers Lexus, Mitsubishi, Toyota, BMW, Ford, Mercedes, Porsche, Volvo and Jeep have all installed reversing cameras in a number of their vehicles in an effort to prevent reversing incidents involving children.
“Reversing cameras can greatly improve the driver’s visibility and we urge car manufacturers to consider the installation of this technology,” he said.
The Lexus GS430 and the Ford Territory, the only tested vehicles to be awarded the maximum five stars rating, feature enhanced reversing visibility cameras where the rim of the bumper can be easily seen, providing more perspective for the driver.
“Manufacturers using GPS systems in their vehicles should be including reversing technologies as a matter of course. The costs involved in installing a camera to a GPS system are minimal.”
Mr Case explained that although car manufacturers and the development of new technology play an important role in addressing the issue, improved driver behaviour and increased responsibility by parents and carers of children are important factors in reducing death and injury.
The Reversing Visibility Index, developed to encourage motorists to compare the safety design features of vehicles, takes into account the visible area and distance across the rear of the vehicle and whether cameras and sensors have been installed.
The RVI can be viewed on the RACV website www.racv.com.au