subject: Add Safety And Convenience With A Backup Camera System [print this page] A backup camera system is more than just a device to help drivers park the car -although they have made parallel parking a breeze for many worrisome drivers. Besides convenience, a vehicle backup camera offers immense safety benefits. Driving is a dangerous endeavor every time one sits behind the wheel. There are always hazards -children not paying attention in the street, pets and animals darting behind the car. Life is unpredictable, driving excursions included.
A backup camera eliminates the dangerous blind zone. Each yeah thousands of children are injured or killed because a driver did not see the child. Some estimate as many as two children are killed and 48 injured every week in the United States. These accidents often take place in both residential driveways and parking lots; most of the time it is a parent or close relative involved.
The blind spot ranges from about 25-50 feet, depending on the vehicle. Obviously minivans and pickup trucks have the largest blind spots. Many newer cars have proximity sensors built in that will beep with increasing frequency as you approach a solid object. While these are a great aid, they will not tell you if it's a mailbox behind you or a child. Backup cameras can be installed in newer cars, but people with older models can easily purchase a separate backup camera system to install in their car themselves.
There are several different designs and options to these systems. Often a small video camera is built into the license-plate holder or is mounted on the car's bumper. In terms of monitors, a video screen is built into a replacement rearview mirror. Another option is an add-on monitor for the mirror or a flatscreen that mounts on or in the dashboard or on the inside of a sun visor. Which you choose depends on what you view as easiest and most convenient to see. Some view the rearview mirror screen as too small, while others find it makes the most sense since you look in the mirror when you back up. Others prefer a separate monitor that is larger to view.
So what do you need to know before you purchase a backup camera system? Cameras that attach to the bumper might require drilling, so if you lease a car this might not be the best option. If you have a trailer hitch, there are models that can mount to it. Many will find it convenient to choose a model that can mount on the license-plate holder as long as it doesn't obstruct the actual license-plate. Installing a sensor system along with the backup camera is a wise decision and can prepare you for just about any situation.
