Are rearview cameras needed? #tellusatoday

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will require all new vehicles to have backup cameras in 2018. Comments from Twitter and Facebook are edited for clarity and grammar:

This is too much government intrusion and not needed. It's another way to raise the price of cars under guise of safety.

— @MakeACarDeal

Is the government going to send us checks to help pay for these "improvements" we neither want nor can afford?

— @tab91787

I can certainly see the benefit on large vehicles such as wagons or SUVs, but I don't think it's necessary on every type.

— @jdross

I have a backup camera on my Altima, and it's a huge help. It comes in very handy when you want to know how close you are to stuff.

— @cpoole98

If this added feature can prevent the loss of lives, then let's pay a little more to ensure our children's safety.

— @JeffOstach

This requirement will just push up the cost of all cars because we don't trust that people know how to turn their heads.

— Mike Ketelaars

Well, you could say the same about seat belts, and maybe you do, but they save lives.

Rearview cameras and/or sensors are not that expensive, and they make a huge difference, even for good drivers who turn their heads.

— Abe Ellenberg

More intrusions in our lives and the escalating nanny state.

— Jay Copeland

Here's a simple solution for those individuals who don't like the idea of the government mandating rearview, backup cameras on vehicles: Buy an old car and keep it running.

— Luke Sonner

For more discussions, follow @USATOpinion or #tellusatoday on Twitter.