Push for mandatory cameras in 4WDs

Most Australians believe rear vision cameras should be mandatory in four-wheel drives and many people resent the vehicles outright, a survey has found.

Research commissioned by insurer AAMI found that three quarters of Australians (75 per cent) support compulsory cameras in 4WDs to improve safety when reversing.

The survey of 2,380 licensed drivers, conducted by Sweeney Research, also found that most drivers object to 4WDs on city roads.

The vehicles are increasingly popular, with the Australian sport utility vehicle market growing by 16 per cent last year.

Six in 10 Australians surveyed said the city was no place for 4WDs, while 66 per cent said they thought they were a danger to other road users.

More than half of the drivers surveyed (56 per cent) said higher registration fees should be imposed on 4WDs and a third said they were socially unacceptable because of their carbon footprint.

AAMI Public Affairs Manager Geoff Hughes said 4WDs had as much right to the road as other vehicles.

Cameras were often optional extras and it was a matter of consumer choice, he said.

"Tragically, there are far too many incidents each year where people, particularly small children, are injured or even killed because they couldn't easily be seen by the operator of a four-wheel-drive vehicle," Mr Hughes said.

"A rear camera can never fully substitute for driver competence and awareness, however, if the extra set of eyes can add to a driver's overall awareness of their surroundings then surely this would be good for road safety."

Source: AAP 2008