Eastern 401 may not be the best example, but it is definitely a fact that new safety technology doesn’t always make things safer. People rely on it, are not aware of its limitations, and generally act to keep risk constant at levels they find acceptable regardless. Except people to take fewer second looks, backup faster, and to be less likely to get out of their car to check what’s behind them.

I drive an older Mercury Sable, not a very tall vehicle. When I go out to my car, I often find SUVs on either side of me, both with heavily tinted glass. In other words, I’m in a narrow slot surrounded by walls.

I’m very drawn to new blind spot and reverse indicators that can tell me that something is approaching from angles invisible to me.

That said, I would be in the market for such a device. I would not be pleased to learn that I must have it. I’d rather buy a co-equal SUV, actually, than be told what I have to do whether or not it’s “for the children [TM]”.

Now they want to put a similar gadget in cars to observe the rear?

Very likely, Chris, that there will be a link to reverse in the car- once the car is placed in a forward gear, the camera shuts off. A very simple thing to do.

That said, anyone who will not check behind their car if they suspect someone or something is back there really doesn’t need to be driving. I resent having to pay for another new government decreed expensive device because some soccer mom in a hurry can’t be bothered to make sure Little Tot is within sight.