I installed a backup camera that is always on and replaced the rear view mirror on my 1980s van because the rear window was partially obscured by the factory camping equipment. The van is so slow you need to know what’s behind you before changing lanes and it was difficult to back up in certain angles even with great side mirrors.

Modern cars with rollover and better crash structures have even worse rearward visibility and really do benefit from back up cameras. Unfortunately with the types of cars being sold in the last 25 years, bigger pillars and airbags are needed if you want to survive an accident.

When I drive my van I treat it like a motorcycle and assume everyone is out to kill my if I get complacent.