[Waterluvian]

Reverse cameras are one of the best things to happen to automobile safety in a long time. The automatic obstacle detection and braking is so great. I’m delighted that it’s such a success that it’s standard in every new car.

[woobar]

It is now standard (at least in the US) because it was mandated by law (in 2007). USDOT took some sweet time to implement it, but it was required by 2018.

[fatnoah]

> Reverse cameras are one of the best things to happen to automobile safety in a long time.

I agree, but I feel like cameras have made everyone feel the need to back into parking spaces, resulting in an epidemic of slightly askew cars that make it more difficult for everyone else to park. It's a small price to pay for increased safety, but it's stilkl annoying.

[Silhouette]

I feel like cameras have made everyone feel the need to back into parking spaces, resulting in an epidemic of slightly askew cars that make it more difficult for everyone else to park.

Where I come from (the UK) drivers are routinely taught to reverse into most types of space or small driveway and drive out forwards because it is better for both manoeuvrability and driver vision. If you can't manage to perform some basic manoeuvres involving reversing during your driving test then you fail. We do not have an epidemic of slightly askew cars in car parks and the worst offenders for less than parallel parking are often the drivers who were too lazy to reverse in and instead tried to swing in forwards when they didn't have enough space to straighten up properly afterwards.

[JohnFen]

> I feel like cameras have made everyone feel the need to back into parking spaces

As a bicyclist, I hate it when people do this, and it's become increasingly common.

The problem is that people don't look when they pull out of parking spaces, so when I'm on a bike in a parking lot, I keep a close eye on the backup lights so I can avoid that car. When people park head-out, that critical signal is no longer visible to me.

I've nearly been hit by people pulling out of spot they parked head-out in a couple of times now as a result.

[seanmcdirmid]

360 overhead parking views fix that problem, but they aren’t mandated yet.

[fatnoah]

Good point. I find that view to be far more useful than any other, though I'm never sure if that's my video game bias showing or not.

[seanmcdirmid]

I have a hard to park situation in my garage, so both are very useful.

[Waterluvian]

Hmm I can see that being a thing. I’d find it annoying. I don’t feel like I see the trend in my locale.

I do like that the camera makes lining up cars easier (if you’re competent and care) I get these lines that curve when my wheels are turned. And I use them to line up with the space. It actually makes backing in feel nicer… makes me look like I know what I’m doing….

Or am I the person you’re talking about! ;)