How to Safely Use Your Vehicle’s Backup Camera

by Michael D. Ponce

Last Updated September 26, 2022 In Car Accident

As of in May 2018, all vehicles manufactured for sale in the U.S. are required to be equipped with backup cameras and digital displays showing drivers live images of the area behind their vehicles. Backup cameras became mandatory to help drivers avoid accidents—particularly those involving pedestrians and small children who may not be visible in rear-view mirrors.

Backup cameras can make parallel parking and backing out of parking spaces and driveways much safer and easier, but they can take some practice and getting used to for drivers who have spent years relying solely on their mirrors and turning their heads to see behind them.

If you recently purchased a vehicle with a backup camera for the first time, or you still struggle with yours, here are a few tips to keep in mind when backing up:

• Keep your camera clean: Just like your smartphone or digital camera takes cloudy or blurry pictures when the lens is dirty, your backup camera will produce distorted images when it’s covered in dirt, dust, or water. If you notice your backup camera looks “off,” get out and clean it with a cloth before reversing.

• Reverse slowly when approaching the “red zone“: Backup cameras include guidelines to help drivers know how much room they have to safely reverse. As you begin to approach the “red zone” of the guidelines, your vehicle may begin beeping. At this point, you should reverse as slowly as you can to ensure you don’t go too far and collide with the object behind your vehicle.

• Stop if your vehicle begins beeping while you’re exiting a driveway or parking space: Your vehicle’s backup camera can see and detect vehicles, pedestrians, and children in a bigger area behind you than what’s shown on your display. Be prepared to stop immediately when reversing into a road or lane of travel if you hear beeping, as it means a vehicle or person is approaching.

When drivers don’t use their backup cameras correctly—or when they fail to check behind them while reversing—serious accidents and injuries can occur.

If you or someone you love is injured in a backup accident, we want to help. Contact the Nashville car accident lawyers at Ponce Law for a free consultation.