Driveway Safety

It’s a tragic story that appears regularly in newspapers across the nation. Often it takes up no more than a few column centimetres, and while the names are different the story still remains the same – a child has been killed or injured after being run over by a car reversing out of the family driveway.

Download the Department of Infrastructure and Transport's brochure on Driveway Safety.

Reversing Cameras

A reversing camera provides you with a visual image of the area directly behind your vehicle, helping to eliminate potential blind spots. An LCD monitor is mounted in the vehicle and is activated when your car is in reverse. The images come from a small camera, which is usually located near the rear number plate. The camera has a low lux setting, meaning it is still effective when lighting is limited, or at night time.

Reversing Sensors

Working in much the same way as a reversing camera, reversing sensors are fitted to the rear of the car and alert the driver when there is an object in the path of the reversing car. These sensors monitor the distance between a vehicle and obstacles while reversing, alerting the driver with a series of beeps. The devices can detect an object within 1.6 metres and different warning tones tell the driver the estimated distance from the object – up to the point where a final continuous tone will sound when the object is 30cm away from the vehicle.

Used individually, or – ideally – together, reversing parking sensors and cameras can deliver a solution to the reversing problem. To find out more about the purchase and installation service RAA offers to RAA Members at reduced rates call RAA on 8202 4538.