Every new car sold in the US must have a rearview camera.

Under the new rules, rear-view cameras and video screens must be included on new models. The goal is to prevent accidents caused by pedestrians - often children - running across the road behind drivers who cannot see them, according toUSA Today.

The bill, passed by Congress in 2008, required the use of technology to improve rear visibility for drivers. But it took several years for the Department of Transportation to announce the camera requirement in 2014, giving automakers several years to prepare.

The rule applies to all new vehicles weighing less than 10,000 pounds, including U.S.-made and imported vehicles. Most cars, SUVs and pickup trucks currently weigh less than 10,000 pounds.

In fact, many high-end models and some mainstream models come with a safety package that includes a rearview camera. Up to 97% of 2018 model year vehicles come with rearview cameras, compared with just 8% in 2006, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). But the technology is now standard on even the cheapest new cars.

“This rule is a huge step forward in safety for children, pedestrians, bicyclists and other road users,” Chathy Chase, president of the advocacy group for auto and highway safety, said in a statement. “Consumers will no longer have to pay extra for the expensive option of a rearview camera.”

Backing-up accidents cause 210 crashes and 15,000 injuries each year in the U.S., according to NHTSA. More than 30 percent of those killed are children under 5, and more than 25 percent are over 70.

MagazineConsumer ReportsThere have been studies, with the use of cones instead of children. The results show that if only using the rearview mirror, that is, without a rearview camera, the blind spot area will be from 1.8 m to 13.4 m behind small sedans and more for large SUVs. The rearview camera will allow the driver to see what appears in the blind spot area.