National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the US Department of Transportation has issued a regulation to make rear visibility technology mandatory in all new vehicles under 10,000 pounds by May 2018.

This move by the government regulatory organization is aimed at reducing the risk of fatalities and serious injuries caused by backover accidents.

With this new regulation, all vehicles manufactured on or after 1 May 2018 and are under 10,000 pounds, including buses and trucks, must be equipped with rear visibility technology.

This expands the driver's view on areas behind the vehicle to reduce death and injury resulting from backover incidents. The field of view must include a 10ft by 20ft zone directly behind the vehicle.

Other requirements to be met by the system include image size, linger time, response time, durability, and deactivation.

NHTSA acting administrator David Friedman said that rear visibility requirements will save lives, and will save many families from the heartache suffered after these tragic incidents occur.

"We're already recommending this kind of life-saving technology through our NCAP program and encouraging consumers to consider it when buying cars today," Friedman added.