Atlantic Toyota and Huntington Toyota want Long Island Toyota customers to know that both dealerships already offer vehicles that meet the new rules proposed by the government. There have been many accidental deaths of children and elderly due to blind spots in SUVs as the vehicles are backing up, and the U.S. Department of Transportation wants to address this issue by requiring vehicles to come standard with backup cameras.
"With available technology, there is no reason to accept a blind spot of any size. Back-over deaths are particularly tragic, and the systems already exist to prevent them," said Russ Rader, spokesman for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, in a press release.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 300 people are killed and 18,000 injured each year because of backovers. Congress passed laws in 2008 to respond to a tragic death of an 8-year-old after his father accidently backed over him. Since that time, automakers have been adding backup cameras or sensors. But only about 20 percent of 2010 models have these features and most are optional.
Long Island Toyota dealers Atlantic Toyota and Huntington Toyota already carry at least six Toyota models that may be equipped with this feature. Some vehicles like the FJ Cruiser and the 4Runner have a backup camera which is linked to an electrochromic mirror that has an integrated backup camera monitor. Others Toyotas such as the Tundra, Highlander (plus the hybrid version) and the Land Cruiser have the backup technology integrated into a DVD or navigational system.
The proposal says 10 percent of the vehicle fleet will need to meet the standards in 2012 models, which will be followed by 40 percent in 2013. By 2014 all new vehicles—all passenger cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, minivans and other vehicles weighing up to 10,000 pounds—are expected to have the backup technology available to consumers. For now, the proposal is open to public comment and feedback.
Atlantic Toyota and Huntington Toyota want all customers to feel safe with their purchases, and both dealerships are happy to offer shoppers the safety options that may be standard in future.