Backup cameras give you a better view of blind spots below your rear window’s line of sight that surpasses views provided by rearview mirrors. This makes driving and maneuvering in our driveways and parking lots safer. But a backup camera doesn’t show everything, especially objects low to the ground or outside its range. Relying on both your backup camera and rearview mirror will help you to spot obstacles prior to putting your car in gear and moving. The camera can help you see small children, pets, or other obstacles that you don’t want to back over, such as curbs or concrete parking blocks. But are backup cameras really safe?
Applying traditional safety checks of turning your head and checking mirrors before you take your foot off the brake in case someone or something suddenly enters your path also decreases the likelihood of accidents.
Read along as an experienced driver education instructor, an insurance expert, and an attorney help answer the question: Are backup cameras really safe?
What Is a Backup Camera?
A backup camera, or rearview camera, is a video camera (or cameras) mounted somewhere on the back of your car. The backup camera projects an image on a video screen usually located in the dashboard or rearview mirror that helps to reduce the number of blind spots around your car when in reverse.
According to certified driver education instructor Steven Norman, “[A backup camera] improves safety by providing a clearer view of the area where you are backing that might not be visible through mirrors alone.”
Does Every Car Have a Backup Camera?
It depends. Many older cars built before 2018 may or may not have a backup camera. However, recognized as an enhanced safety measure that reduced death and injury resulting from low-speed back-over incidents, several manufacturers added backup cameras to their fleet years before they became mandatory. All modern vehicles built after 2018 come with a backup camera as standard equipment.
Are Backup Cameras Safer Than the Rearview Mirror?
No, not really. “Both backup cameras and rearview mirrors serve important safety purposes, and neither should be used in isolation,” said Erika Tortorici, owner of Optimum Insurance Solutions. Tortorici added, “Rearview mirrors give drivers a broad view of traffic and movement behind the car.”
“Backup cameras are an excellent safety feature,” said Norman, “but are not foolproof.” Although they help reduce blind spots, “they should never be relied upon as the only way to check your surroundings before moving,” added Norman.
Backup Camera Safety Pros and Cons
Pros
- Reduces blind spots, which provides a clear view of obstacles behind the vehicle, helping prevent accidents.
- Makes maneuvering when parallel parking or parking in tight spaces easier.
- Reduces accidents involving children or small objects that may not be noticeable through mirrors.
- Makes aligning your vehicle and trailer hitching easier (if equipped with this feature).
- Research and data show that backup cameras have cut the number of police reported backup-related crashes.
- Newer vehicles integrate the backup camera with the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) or self-parking feature, offering a 360-degree view of your surroundings, improving parking and maneuvering.
Cons
- Overdependence on the camera may cause drivers to forget to check their mirrors or turn their heads to check their surroundings.
- Unable to visually capture everything, especially objects outside their field of view.
- Malfunctions, dirt, cracks, and misalignment can lead to distorted images or poor video quality.
- Drivers gain a false sense of confidence, leading to dangerous driving decisions.
Is It Safe to Only Use the Backup Camera?
“No,” said Norman. He added, “You lose overall situational awareness when only using the backup camera, that’s why it’s essential for drivers to turn their heads, check their mirrors and check the backup camera feed before moving.” Attorney William Pemberton of Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm added, “Using these tools in conjunction (camera and mirrors) with one another can help you potentially avoid a tragedy.” Here are the key factors why using the backup camera to accompany rather than replace, time-honored safety checks:
- Limited field of view: Even newer backup cameras that offer a wider viewing angles can’t see everything.
- Dirty or obstructed camera lenses: Dirt, ice, road salt or physical damage can block the lens, making the image unreliable.
- Environmental conditions: Low light or weather conditions may cause the camera to produce a blurred or indistinct image.
- Moving objects: Not all backup cameras track movement, meaning sudden obstacles might not be noticed in time.
- Guidelines: The guiding lines on the screen can be deceptive and confusing if you fail to adjust for steering angle.
- Technology: While backup cameras are a fantastic safety feature, the same as any other electronic component system, they can, and will, unexpectedly stop working.
FAQ
When did backup cameras become mandatory?
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) enacted a law mandating that all new vehicles built after May 1, 2018, with a gross vehicle weight of less than 10,000 pounds, come equipped with rear backup cameras that expand a driver’s view of their surroundings.
Will installing a backup camera lower my insurance?
“Probably not,” said Tortorici. She added, “Installing a backup camera, especially an aftermarket one, won’t lower your insurance premium.” While backup cameras reduce the risk of minor accidents, adding one can help you uphold your safe driving record, which over the years could help prevent premium increases,” said Pemberton, as most insurers do not consider a backup camera as a standalone safety feature that qualifies for a premium discount.
Experts
Steve Norman, M.Ed., has taught driver’s education in both the public and private sectors for over 15 years. He is a Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) certified classroom and behind-the-wheel driving instructor. As well as a certified driver’s license examiner. Steve is currently teaching physical education at Manavon Elementary School, Phoenixville Area School District. (Phone interview, June 8, 2025)
Erika Tortorici, founder, owner and principal of Optimum Insurance Solutions. With over 12 years of experience in the insurance industry, Erika has built a firm based in Hamilton, MA, committed to providing personalized coverage, transparency, and long-term client relationships over impersonal, one-size-fits-all policies. (Electronic communication, June 4, 2025)
Attorney William M. Pemberton. William graduated from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse in 2001 and Marquette University Law School in 2003. He received his admission to the State Bar of Wisconsin in 2004 and accepted a position at an insurance defense law firm in Milwaukee, WI, before founding the Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm. (Electronic communication, June 5, 2025)
Resources
- Laura Longero: Executive Editor, CarInsurance.com at CarInsurance.com
- Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS): “Advanced driver assistance“
- SAE: “NHTSA mandates rearview camera technology“
- The Office of the Federal Register (OFR) of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA): “Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Rear Visibility“
- U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: “Driver Assistance Technologies“
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