If you buy a new car now, most cars will come with a back camera. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism announced on June 9, 2021 that it will require the equipment of a back camera and a rear detection system. What are the expectations of this obligation?
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It was announced that the back camera will be mandatory, but how many accidents have actually occurred when retreating?
According to the Traffic Accident Comprehensive Analysis Center, the number of car retreat accidents was close to 30,000 in 2009, but it has been declining to less than 25,000 in 2017.
Meanwhile, between 2008 and 2017, there were 610 fatal accidents due to retreat. This number is equivalent to 1.4% of the 43,345 traffic fatal accidents during the same period.
A "back camera" that captures the rear part of a car is considered to be effective in safely retreating and reducing accidents.
According to the data of the ASV technology diffusion status survey of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the installation rate of back cameras in the total production of passenger cars was around 15% from 2008 to 2012, but since 2013, it has been around 15%. It is on the rise, reaching about 40% as of 2016.
On June 9, 2021, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism partially revised the safety standards for road transport vehicles on the same date.
With this revision, in order to prevent accidents when the vehicle is reversing, it has been announced that new models will be required to be equipped with a "reverse vehicle immediate confirmation device" such as a back camera and a rear detection system.
![いつから？新車購入は待った方がお得？バックカメラや後方検知システムが義務化 | MOBY [モビー]](https://website-google-hk.oss-cn-hongkong.aliyuncs.com/drawing/article_results_7/2022/3/3/22563754cdebabcbfce3e7bd5bad5fca_1.jpeg "from when? Is it better to wait for a new car purchase? Back camera and rear detection system are mandatory | MOBY")
@charlottevslife I think there should be a requirement in a driving test to prove knowledge about different road us… https://t.co/ISOfAhtCEe
— Roland Paterson Mon May 17 13:47:30 +0000 2021
The two main requirements of the vehicle immediately after vehicle confirmation device when reversing are "to be able to confirm obstacles in the area immediately after the vehicle" and "the confirmation means is by a camera, detection system or mirror".
In addition, when installing a back camera, it was a condition that a height of 0.8 m could be confirmed assuming a pole or a child in the range from 0.3 m to 3.5 m behind the vehicle body.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe's World Forum for Harmonization of Automotive Standards (WP29), which sets international standards for automobiles, has newly added "Agreement Rule (No. 158) on Immediately after Vehicle Confirmation Device when Reversing". Based on the fact that it was adopted, it is said that this mandatory requirement was decided for the purpose of introducing these rules in Japan as well.
As the rules change internationally, functions to support safety confirmation may become mandatory in the future, in addition to back cameras and sensors.
New models after May 2022 are subject to mandatory obligations. Cars that will continue to be produced with the same model will be available after May 2024.
The person in charge of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism said about the obligation
"Mandatory confirmation device immediately after the vehicle when reversing is the most important purpose to prevent accidents caused by the rear part of the vehicle."
However, in order to actually reduce car retreat accidents, it is effective to retrofit not only new models to be released in the future but also cars that do not currently have a back camera.
Retrofit back cameras and rear detection systems can be purchased from genuine manufacturers as well as at automobile supply stores.
For those who have previously parked or parked without a back camera, the back camera may seem like equipment for those who are not good at parking.
However, children and obstacles that get into the back of the car are hard to notice from the driver's seat. Even for drivers who are accustomed to parking, back cameras and rear detection systems are quite useful items.