Older Drivers’ Use of Rearview Video Systems

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July 8th, 2024

In 2014 NHTSA specified an area behind the vehicle that must be displayed to the driver while backing, which applied to new passenger vehicles beginning with model year 2018. Most manufacturers responded by adding rearview video systems (RVSs) to their vehicles. Research has shown that using RVSs can reduce crash risk (Hurwitz et al., 2010); however, RVSs are most effective if drivers use the displays.

This study compared older drivers’ performance as they completed common backing tasks using traditional rearview mirrors to mirrors and RVSs. The research team used an instrumented study vehicle to collect measures of backing performance from 80 licensed drivers. Half the participants were 60 to 69 years old, and the remainder were 70 and older. Half of each age group were familiar with RVSs, and the others were unfamiliar.

Read the full study here.