Public forums sponsored by NHTSA are scheduled for March to discuss an NPRM published in December that seeks to amend FMVSS 111 on rear-view mirrors to expand the field of view for drivers, which could include technology such as back-up cameras.

The move is designed to increase pedestrian safety behind vehicles, especially for small children and senior citizens, whom NHTSA said are at more of a risk of injury or even death when motorists operate their vehicles in reverse. The NPRM would specify an area immediately behind each vehicle and require motorists to be able to view that entire area while the vehicle is in reverse. The current field of view for inside rear-view mirrors is at least 20 degrees wide, and a view of 200 feet behind the vehicle must be seen when using external, side rear-view mirrors.

A public technical workshop is scheduled for March 11 at the NHTSA Vehicle and Research Test Center in Liberty, Ohio, to discuss the test procedure outlined in the NPRM. NHTSA said test procedure comments to the NPRM suggests that a more "hands-on" approach should be used. NHTSA will provide a vehicle and various test equipment to aid parties in demonstrating compliance testing concerns relevant to the proposed rule.

The second public hearing will be held on March 23 at NHTSA's media center in Washington, D.C. It is designed to allow the public to present oral comments.

The NRPM is required by Congress as part of the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act.