The increasing number of car manufacturers installing rear view cameras as standard in luxury vehicles has been applauded by NRMA Insurance. But the absence of reversing cameras in ordinary “family” models is a concern for the No 1 vehicle insurer, which says the devices are crucial in preventing accidents involving small children.

A child is run over in the driveway of an Australian home each, week according to the NSW Motor Accidents Authority.

The number of available vehicle models with a reversing camera installed has tripled in the past year, but nearly all models that carry the technology as standard are luxury vehicles.

In its annual reversing visibility index, NRMA gave top marks the BMW X5 wagon, the Ford Territory, Honda Legend, the Lexus GS430, IS250 and LS460 and the Toyota Kluger.

But NRMA Insurance Road Safety Manager Pam Leicester says three of the four top-selling family sedans received no points in the index.

“This is a real concern because many of these vehicles have hazardous reversing blind areas, usually caused by high rear window lines and boots,” she said.