The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has decided to renew an exemption allowing Vision Systems North America, Inc. to use its Smart-Vision high-definition camera monitoring system as a replacement for the traditional rear-view mirrors required on commercial motor vehicles. This exemption, effective from January 15, 2025, to January 15, 2030, is granted because the Smart-Vision system has shown to maintain a safety level at least equivalent to the required standard. The exemption includes specific conditions such as annual reporting, regular inspections, and immediate notification to FMCSA if the safety level changes. States cannot enforce conflicting laws, but they may adopt the same exemption for intrastate commerce if they choose.
Simple Explanation
The government has decided to let a special camera take the place of side mirrors on trucks for the next five years because it can see just as well, but the truckers need to report how it's working every year.