WASHINGTON, D.C. -

A feature that’s now optional equipment on some new models — rear-mounted video cameras — appears to be on the way to becoming a mandatory device.

The leaders of the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration revealed a proposal last week that also outlined a schedule for these cameras and coordinating equipment to be incorporated into vehicle assembly.

Orchestrated by NHTSA, the plan would expand the required field of view for all passenger cars, pickup trucks, minivans, buses and low-speed vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of up to 10,000 pounds so that drivers can see directly behind the vehicle when the vehicle’s transmission is in reverse. NHTSA believes manufacturers will install rear mounted video cameras and in-vehicle displays to meet the proposed standards.

To meet the requirements of the proposed rule, federal officials said 10 percent of new vehicles must comply by September 2012, 40 percent by September 2013 and 100 percent by September 2014.

DOT and NHTSA contend the new safety regulation can help eliminate blind zones behind vehicles that can hide the presence of pedestrians, especially young children and the elderly.

Furthermore, federal officials reiterated the proposed rule was required by Congress as part of the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act of 2007. They recounted 2-year old Cameron Gulbransen — for whom the act is named — was killed when his father accidentally backed over him in the family’s driveway.

“There is no more tragic accident than for a parent or caregiver to back out of a garage or driveway and kill or injure an undetected child playing behind the vehicle,” declared Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

“The changes we are proposing today will help drivers see into those blind zones directly behind vehicles to make sure it is safe to back up,” LaHood added.

NHTSA estimated that on average 292 fatalities and 18,000 injuries occur each year as a result of back-over crashes involving all vehicles. Of these, the department calculated 228 fatalities involve light vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or less.

Regulators also insist two particularly vulnerable populations — children and the elderly — are affected most. They asserted approximately 44 percent of fatalities involving light vehicles are children under 5, adding that’s “an unusually high percentage for any particular type of crash.”

In addition, federal officials found 33 percent of fatalities involving light vehicles are elderly people 70 years of age or older.

“The steps we are taking today will help reduce back-over fatalities and injuries not only to children, but to the elderly, and other pedestrians,” explained NHTSA Administrator David Strickland.

“And while these changes will make a difference, drivers must remember that no technology can, or should, replace full attention and vigilance when backing up,” Strickland went on to say. “Always know where your children are before you start your car and make sure you check that there is no one behind you before you back up.”

NHTSA pointed out that it is providing a 60-day comment period on this rulemaking that begins when the proposal is published in the Federal Register. The proposal and information about how to submit comments are available at this website.