The Australian Government has announced it will mandate the installation of reversing aids such as reversing cameras and parking sensors in an effort to reduce reverse-crash road trauma.
The new ‘Australian Design Rule 108/00 – Reversing Technologies‘ standard will require all new vehicles that go on sale from November 1, 2025 to receive a reversing camera and parking sensors.
This will then be expanded to include all vehicles from November 1, 2027.
ADR 108/00 – Reversing Technologies will apply to all light, medium and heavy vehicles on sale in Australia.
One type of vehicle that’s exempt from the ADR as a ‘Partially Completed Vehicle’ are cab-chassis vehicles. This includes the likes of cab-chassis utes and vans.
It’s worth noting reversing cameras were mandated for new vehicles sold in the United States from 2018. Reversing cameras or sensors were also mandated by the European Union last year.
An impact assessment conducted by the Australian Government estimates the new ADR can save a total of 13 lives and avoid 140 severe and 62 minor injuries over the next 45 years.
The Government also expects the change to result in a gross benefit of approximately $80.6 million to the Australian economy.
“We know that reversing aids will improve visibility for drivers to minimise black spots while reserving,” said Federal assistant minister for infrastructure and transport Carol Brown.
“The Australian Government predicts that this change will contribute to a reduction in both fatal and non-fatal driveway incidents.
“This new standard supports our unwavering commitment to achieving Vision Zero: zero deaths and serious injuries on our roads by 2050.
“It will be particularly impactful towards ensuring zero deaths of children 7 years and under by 2030, one of the key targets on this vision roadmap.”
“Every week a child is injured in a driveway runover incident, with children under five most at risk,” said Kidsafe Victoria CEO Melanie Courtney.
“These new regulations will help lower the number of injuries and deaths and the devastating long-term effects on families.
“We welcome this as a positive step forward for safety around vehicles. However, it is important to remember that reversing cameras are a driving aid only and cannot be relied on to prevent all incidents.
“All drivers should remember to supervise children around cars, separate children from danger and physically walk around the vehicle to see if any children are present before reversing.”
