Are backup cameras a national treasure?

We were highly impressed by the camera work in "National Treasure: Book of Secrets," the blockbuster movie now showing in theaters. But it wasn't the cameraman's talents that scored points with us; it was Nicolas Cage's use of a rear-view camera and dashboard monitor as he dodged his pursuers. As far as we know, this is one of the first times a backup camera has been used as a plot device in a movie—and a good one at that as it helped Cage not only evade the bad guys but also the curious dogs that got in his way.

While we, of course, do not condone Cage's reckless driving, we’ve been fans of the rear-view camera for some time. The reason is simple: In the U.S. 50 children are backed over by vehicles every week, according to Kids and Cars, a nonprofit group dedicated to eliminating non-traffic motor vehicle injuries and deaths in children. Of those children, 48  are treated in hospital emergency rooms and at least two children are fatally injured.  As we’ve noted before, it’s a dangerous situation due in part to the increased popularity of large vehicles such as SUVs and minivans that have large blind zones behind them. (Consumer Reports has rated vehicles on blind zones.)

We strongly support the Kids and Cars effort to get a new law passed to require some sort of vehicle rear-view alert system, whether it’s cameras or other technology.  The Cameron Gulbransen Kids and Cars Safety Act, named for a boy whose father accidentally killed him while backing up the family’s SUV, passed the House late last year and has already been approved by the Senate Commerce committee.  We hope the senators take a clue from Cage and make rear-view technology a national treasure.

About that car
The car featured in the film is a Mercedes-Benz C-Class that was modified for the chase scenes (see photo above). While some Mercedes do come equipped with rear-view cameras, the camera is not offered with this particular model in the U.S. Here is the chase scene as featured on YouTube.

More about backup systems from Consumer Reports

• How to choose and use backup systems including Ratings (for subscribers).
• Videos: How to check the blind spot behind your car

Comments

[Bigdog]

Unfortunately, the rear-view camera in Mercedes M-Class vehicles is useless.

When the vehicle is first started, the display first shows two splash screens (a Mercedes logo, then a legal disclaimer) for a total of seven seconds.

By that time, most drivers have already backed up and shifted into drive.

[Eric]

James Bond did use the back-up camera in a BMW to escape the bad guys with a Nokia cell phone provided by M.