Backup Sensors Not Enough to Detect Children

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released a report to Congress on Monday saying backup sensors in many cars were “typically poor, sporadic and limited in range.” Since the sensors were designed to detect other vehicles — in order to prevent parking lot accidents — this news doesn’t surprise us.

However, the report does say backup camera systems available in a number of new vehicles give “reliable assistance in identifying people in the path of the vehicle when backing.” NHTSA tested several systems for the report. There are an estimated 183 deaths a year involving cars backing over pedestrians, and about 7,400 injuries.

[NHTSA Says Vehicle Safety Sensors Need Refinement, Detroit Free Press]