Rear cameras ‘a must’

By Kath Gannaway
MOST Australian drivers believe a rear camera should be compulsory on four-wheel drive vehicles.
A survey of 2380 people conducted for Australian Associated Motor Industries (AAMI) by Sweeney Research, found 75 per cent of those surveyed were in favour off fitting the safety equipment.
“The size and shape of some four-wheel drive models can make it extremely difficult for those who drive them to see objects in their rear view mirrors when reversing, particularly at close range,” AAMI Public Affairs manager Geoff Hughes said.
“Tragically, there are far too many incidents each year where people – particularly small children – are injured or even killed because they couldn’t easily be seen by the operator of a four-wheel drive vehicle.
“A rear camera can never fully substitute for driver competence and awareness, however if the extra set of eyes can add to a driver’s overall awareness of their surroundings then surely this would be good for road safety.”
Mr Hughes said many four-wheel drive makes and models were sold with rear cameras as a standard feature or as an optional extra, which means that ultimately those who purchase them decide whether or not to include this safety feature, albeit at their own expense.
“It’s pleasing that many four-wheel drive manufacturers have recognised there is some demand for this safety feature and offer rear cameras as either a standard or optional extra,” he said.
“This is particularly important at a time when sales of four-wheel drives in Australia continue to grow – last year alone the sport utility vehicle market in Australia grew by 16.2 per cent.”
Insurance premiums for four-wheel drives fitted with cameras are the same as those that are not fitted with them. The research also suggests many motorists resent the presence of four-wheel drives on the roads, with six in 10 (60 per cent) Australians saying they don’t belong in the city.
“Our increasingly congested roads in the major cities and built-up areas are obviously giving some drivers cause to resent their four-wheel drive counterparts who are perceived to take up more space because of their shape and size,” Mr Hughes said.
“However, we would remind all road users of the need to exercise patience and to remember that four-wheel drives have as much right to use the roads as other registered vehicles.”
The national research also found:
• 66 per cent of drivers think four-wheel drives may be safer for their occupants but are dangerous for other road users;
• 56 per cent of drivers support four-wheel drives being subjected to higher registration fees;
• 33 per cent of drivers think it is socially unacceptable to drive a four-wheel drive because of its contribution to the greenhouse effect.
In Victoria the results showed:
• 78 per cent of drivers think four-wheel drives should be required to be fitted with rear cameras;
• 66 per cent of drivers think four-wheel drives do not belong in the city;
• 70 per cent of drivers think four-wheel drives may be safer for their occupants but are dangerous for other road users;
• 63 per cent of drivers support four-wheel drives being subjected to higher registration fees;
• 37 per cent of drivers think it is socially unacceptable to drive a four-wheel drive because of its contribution to the greenhouse effect.