UPS removing mirrors in favor of electronic backing aids

OLYMPIA, Wash. (March 31) — United Parcel Service said it would equip trucks with sophisticated electronic backing aids instead of mirrors in order to comply with a new Washington state law.

Almost 900 UPS delivery vehicles around the state have been equipped with backing devices using one of three different technologies — Doppler radar, ultrasonic, or camera/monitor systems. The Washington law, known as “C.J.’s law,” calls for delivery vans and other small trucks used in pickup and delivery service to be equipped with rear cross-view mirrors or other appropriate backing device.

UPS is spending more than $500,000 to equip the vehicles, compared with about $68,000 to install rear cross-view mirrors on the same fleet. The company said it would also install the devices on about 50 larger highway trucks, which are not covered by the new law.

UPS decided to use electronic devices in Washington because the earlier mirror testing produced mixed results. Three different types of mirrors were rigorously tested in five widely dispersed geographic sites. Drivers reported the mirrors often distorted objects and were easily knocked out of adjustment, were degraded by rain, snow, sleet, road film, vibration and shadows, and became less effective as the vehicle’s length increased and at night.

All of the electronic devices have been sanctioned by the Washington State Patrol as exceeding the new law’s requirements.