Reverse Camera Legalities...

[Nathan]

I was just wandering... if I fit a reversing camera to my Defender, is it legal to just have it on all the time?? I generally can't see out my rear view mirror anyway due to stuff in the back...

Any thoughts?

Nathan

[robbotd5]

I was just wandering... if I fit a reversing camera to my Defender, is it legal to just have it on all the time?? I generally can't see out my rear view mirror anyway due to stuff in the back...

Any thoughts?

Nathan
I don't think it is a good idea. The constant vision of the road flashing by will drive you crazy. It is easy enough to wire it up so that it only comes on in reverse.
regards Robbo

[DougLD]

Hi All
We fitted a camera and 7in screen to our RFS cat 1 and when it was installed by the local council they had it on all the time you don't notice it is there most of the time better than a blank blue screen I think. But it is great when you have people working around the back of the truck. For most of the time I still use the mirrors for watching the road when driving.
Regards Doug

[THE BOOGER]

I was just wandering... if I fit a reversing camera to my Defender, is it legal to just have it on all the time?? I generally can't see out my rear view mirror anyway due to stuff in the back...

Any thoughts?

Nathan

proberbly not legal as you cant have gps or any video screen in the drivers view but if the boys in blue dont worry :angel:

[richard4u2]

i have been told they would not recommend having a reversing camera on all the time you are better off getting a rear view camera

[feral]

Yes you can.

As long as it used as a drivers aid and you leave all your original mirrors in place it is legal to have a reversing/rear view camera, on full time or not.

A GPS can be used within the drivers view as it is a navigational unit/drivers aid.

If GPS were illegal to be in the drivers view it sort of defeats the purpose of having one.

[josh aka sean]

I have mine set up so that it is on all the time simply as rear visability is non exist for my wife with the 3 baby seats across the back. So basically she uses it as a rear view mirror.

[THE BOOGER]

check the fine print on your gps they say check your states road rules regards where you can set them up your are not allowed to have them in drivers line of sight in nsw yes it does befeat the purpose but the police and other emergency services set them up in the same place :odoesnt make them legal if they want to book you:confused:

[mike_ie]

I was just wandering... if I fit a reversing camera to my Defender, is it legal to just have it on all the time??

Here's an exerpt direct from the South Australia Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Rules 1999
under the Road Traffic Act 1961 Version: 1.7.2008:

42—Television receivers and visual display units
(1) A television receiver or visual display unit must not be installed in a vehicle so any part of the image on the screen is visible to the driver from the normal driving position.
(2) However, subrule (1) does not apply to:
(a) a television receiver or visual display unit that cannot be operated when the vehicle is moving; or
(b) a driver’s aid in any vehicle or a destination sign in a bus.
Examples of driver's aids—
1 Closed-circuit television security cameras.
2 Dispatch systems.
3 Navigational or intelligent highway and vehicle system equipment.
4 Rearview screens.
5 Ticket-issuing machines.
6 Vehicle monitoring devices.
(3) A television receiver, or visual display unit, and its associated equipment in a vehicle must be securely mounted in a position that:
(a) does not obscure the driver’s view of the road; and
(b) does not impede the movement of a person in the vehicle.


I'm not sure what the situation is for every other state, but I would imagine that they are the same.

[THE BOOGER]

general rule in nsw is if they are in your line of sight they obscure you vision thats why they have voice commands your not supposed to look at them;)

[mattg]

Hi

I was thinking about one of these.

Option Audio - Incar Entertainment, Sub Woofers, Speakers, LCD Screens (http://www.optionaudio.com.au/reverse_cameras_oa439gps.php)

they also have them without the GPS and as a clip on to go over your existing mirror.

Matt

[waynep]

I put in a reversing camera and it is wired to be on all the time.
I just got one of those cheaper Swann ones from Dick Smith, only a 2.5 inch screen. Got sick of backing into things.
I mounted the screen down on the centre console, by the gearstick. It does not cause any distraction issues down there and is OK for quick glances to check.
Screen is big enough to check for obstacles and kids -you don't need super high def big screen for that. Also great for reversing a trailer, and keeping an eye on it when travelling( for stuff coming loose etc )
Reversing cameras are normally very wide angle lenses so not a great substitute for a rear view mirror.
BTW don't bother with the wireless ones, too much inteference from car ECUs etc. I had the wireless version and took it back for a wired one.

[VladTepes]

general rule in nsw is if they are in your line of sight they obscure you vision thats why they have voice commands your not supposed to look at them;)

rubbish. I am tall, for example, and my view of the road is not affected by my GPS - just a bit of the bonnet i can't see. I think I'd be able to make a succesful argument on that basis - in any event I wouldn't worry as I have NEVER heard of anyone having been booked for having a GPS in place.

[scrambler]

check the fine print on your gps they say check your states road rules regards where you can set them up your are not allowed to have them in drivers line of sight in nsw yes it does befeat the purpose but the police and other emergency services set them up in the same place :odoesnt make them legal if they want to book you:confused:
THIS is the fine print in NSW:

299 Television receivers and visual display units in motor vehicles

(1) A driver must not drive a motor vehicle that has a television receiver or visual display unit in or on the vehicle operating while the vehicle is moving, or is stationary but not parked, if any part of the image on the screen:

(a) is visible to the driver from the normal driving position, or

(b) is likely to distract another driver.

Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units.

Note. Motor vehicle and park are defined in the Dictionary, and vehicle is defined in rule 15.

(2) This rule does not apply to the driver if:

(a) the driver is driving a bus and the visual display unit is, or displays, a destination sign or other bus sign, or

(b) the visual display unit is, or is part of, a driver’s aid, or

(c) the driver or vehicle is exempt from this rule under another law of this jurisdiction.

Examples of driver’s aids.

1 Closed-circuit television security cameras.

2 Dispatch systems.

3 Navigational or intelligent highway and vehicle system equipment.

4 Rearview screens.

5 Ticket-issuing machines.

6 Vehicle monitoring devices.

Note. Bus is defined in the Dictionary.

[101RRS]

rubbish. I am tall, for example, and my view of the road is not affected by my GPS - just a bit of the bonnet i can't see. I think I'd be able to make a succesful argument on that basis - in any event I wouldn't worry as I have NEVER heard of anyone having been booked for having a GPS in place.

Someone from Qld was having a sook a while back on here about being booked for having a GPS attached to his windscreen while driving.

Garry

[BigJon]

rubbish. I am tall, for example, and my view of the road is not affected by my GPS - just a bit of the bonnet i can't see. I think I'd be able to make a succesful argument on that basis - in any event I wouldn't worry as I have NEVER heard of anyone having been booked for having a GPS in place.

I don't think you could. THe rules set out a standard for the drivers eye height. It is worked out with the seat fully rearward and using some 95th percentile height figures (I think).

[scrambler]

... almost booked.

But the Qld situation is not as black-and-white as all that (and it related to windscreen obstruction, not GPS display screen in view).

I can't find a regulation behind this (help appreciated) but the Qld Transport modification book says:

No material or other object is to be located on the
windscreen or windows which will interfere with the
driver’s vision.

I would think that's pretty clear - if it doesn't interfere with the drivers vision (location of deemed eyepoint in the earlier thread) then there's no problem. On a Defender, the bottom of the windscreen only shows you the bonnet anyway, so no harm, no foul.

[one_iota]

No material or other object is to be located on the
windscreen or windows which will interfere with the
driver’s vision.



A pair of fluffy dice hanging from the rear vision mirror would fit into that category...I wonder how many transgressors have been booked for that?

[scott oz]

(2) This rule does not apply to the driver if:



(b) the visual display unit is, or is part of, a driver’s aid, or


Examples of driver’s aids.


4 Rearview screens.


Note. Bus is defined in the Dictionary.


Given you're in NSW and going on the post above I'd say you're fine.

I've got one that has the display in the mirror. I had it wired so I turn it on when I wont it and off when I don't.

[Michael2]

I fitted a cheap ebay rear view camera to the Defender.

I found the screens did not last long when left on for long periods of time. ie: won't last a year.

The rear view screen is wide angle, so you can't see vehicles unless they're close, or have their headlights on, so mirrors are still essential. Nevertheless, it gives you a better appreciation of everything about you. At night the clarity changes depending on the position / angle of streetlights, so you get a kind of rhythmic movement as you drive along a road with street lights.

Sharp shadows and sun glare affect image clarity too.

[pop058]

A pair of fluffy dice hanging from the rear vision mirror would fit into that category...I wonder how many transgressors have been booked for that?

All of them I hope :D

[mike_ie]

A pair of fluffy dice hanging from the rear vision mirror would fit into that category...I wonder how many transgressors have been booked for that?


So would my rego sticker.... :)

On a more serious note though, I do sometimes wonder what the cops make of bonnet mounted spares on a Defender, in terms of obstruction of view? Realistically speaking, I could quite easily run over someone's granny and not ever see her head above the tyre on my bonnet....