[tjohns]

At least in my car (2013 Chevy Volt), the backup camera is on an internal KVM-type switch.

The moment I switch into reverse the camera forcibly takes over the infotainment screen. You can occasionally see the signal flicker when the switch happens.

But also… a backup camera is hardly critical equipment. It’s there for situational awareness (and a good idea), but doesn’t replace the mirror. And since nobody drives in reverse at high speed, stopping is always an option if it malfunctions.

[genocidicbunny]

On many newer cars, the backup camera is approaching critical equipment. With the rising safety standards, the visibility in cars, especially out the back, has gone down significantly. Incidentally, this is very apparent on the Mazdas that I've owned. My old old Protege had good visibility out the back, an early 10's 3 had passable visibility out the back, and the now handful-of-years-old 6 has atrocious visibility out the back, to the point where more than half the field of view is obscured.

[kortilla]

That’s still not critical. The backup camera is not used as a rear view mirror replacement and the ability to back up, let lone back up safely, is not required for safe operation of the vehicle.

Brakes are critical, steering is critical. Reverse and everything that entails is not.

[nix9000]

Federal law in the US considers backup cameras critical enough to mandate them in all new vehicles since 2018, with penalty for non-compliance.

I think that take precedence over your idiosyncratic definition of what is critical.

[kortilla]

That’s not critical ffs. Federal law requires all kinds of things that are not critical (I.e. does not even result in a fine for operating it on the road with it broken). Side curtain airbags, reverse, a rear view mirror, etc are all not critical nor legally required to operate a vehicle on the road.

Manufacturer mandates for general safety have only a small overlap with what is critical.

[jtbayly]

Federal law also requires manufacturers to use too little water in all your home appliances. That’s clearly not “critical.”

Edit: I really don’t understand why I’m getting downvotes on this. Is it because people are so glad the federal government is in their bathroom making these “critical” decisions for you?

My point is that the federal government makes all kinds of decisions that are obviously not “critical,” and that includes in the auto industry.

[aksss]

y'all are just arguing semantics.

The camera is "critical" to manufacturers by definition because it's the subject of regulatory compliance - it's a must have for the manufacturer to clear a gate.

We also know that people have been driving in all sorts of conditions and in all sizes of cars without backup cameras for decades upon decades and cameras are obviously not critical to the act of driving the vehicle. They undeniably help: the field of view is often wider than your mirrors, you can drive backwards at high speed while ducking to avoid bullets, You can see directly behind the bumper of your car to wedge yourself into tighter parking spots and avoid backing over tiny people, etc. I don't believe a functional backup camera is required to resell the vehicle.

If you never learned to drive without a backup camera, it may be more "critical" to you individually.

Emissions systems are a completely different story. Critical to manufacturer and required for resale of the vehicle (technically critical to owner), though who's going to check for that $400 bypass kit? ;)

[pessimizer]

Because we have to agree on some authority, and almost everyone is going to prefer the government's authority to yours.

[jtbayly]

I’m not trying to get any authority nor questioning the government’s authority. You are saying that every law the federal government has passed is critical?

[alamortsubite]

> Brakes are critical, steering is critical. Reverse and everything that entails is not.

The statistic is that every year, in the U.S. alone, over 2000 kids are run over by vehicles reversing. I had to read what you wrote a half-dozen times, but in hindsight the dissonance makes perfect sense.

[kortilla]

> The statistic is that every year, in the U.S. alone, over 2000 kids are run over by vehicles reversing.

That’s nothing. 10k a year die from speeding.

[genocidicbunny]

In the vast majority of the US, being able to safely back up _is_ required for the safe operation of a vehicle. I recall my drivers license test included a driving-in-reverse section. You will also frequently need to be able to back out of a parking spot, or a driveway. Even if its not critical, its as close to critical as can be. When your rear view mirror and your side mirrors combined cannot give you enough visibility to safely back up, a rear-view camera quickly becomes critical.

[ipython]

Backup cameras are great for avoiding things low to the ground but do give a false sense of security. I managed to back into a fan box at about head level in a parking garage because I became too reliant on the camera alone. If I had turned around to look behind me I could have avoided a thousand dollar repair.

[thrwyoilarticle]

Rear view mirrors aren't critical. Vans don't have them.

[tremon]

And since nobody drives in reverse at high speed

That's my cue ;)

The Netherlands used to have national championships reverse driving for many years on the official race track at Zandvoort (part of the Formula 1 circuit).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn-v2pLBx_s

[galangalalgol]

The geekwire article confirms it is disabling the backup camera and gps nav. You can only listen to npr while it boot-loops.

[morpher]

My Seattle Mazda was hit by this bug. The backup camera still functions for the most part, although it does flicker and occasionally blank for a second or two (presumably while the system reboots). Annoying, but not horrible.

[koz1000]

The backup camera isn't critical, but it's been required in the USA since 2018.

https://www.fleetowner.com/safety/article/21687582/nhtsa-to-...