DETROIT, MI- General Motors Co. is taking the first steps to adhering to a new government regulation that requires all U.S. automakers to have backup camera technology on all vehicles by 2018.

The Detroit-based automaker today announced that all 2015 Buick models will come standard with a rearview camera – marking one of the first steps for a Detroit automaker to offer the technology standard across one of its brands since the government's ruling in March.

On average, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports there are 210 fatalities and 15,000 injuries per year caused by backover crashes. NHTSA has found that children under 5 years old account for 31 percent of backover fatalities each year, and adults 70 years of age and older account for 26 percent.

Rearview cameras, according to numerous studies, can significantly help drivers avoid getting into accidents or backing over someone. In 2013, the University of Michigan's Transportation Research Institute conducted a study which found that vehicles with rear backup cameras have a significantly reduced rate of backing crashes based on its analysis of crash data. Ninety-seven percent of the backing crashes in this study involved striking another vehicle, which corresponds with U.S. crash data analyses.

The 2014 Buick Enclave rearview camera display. The Enclave, along with the rest of the 2015 Buick lineup, will come standard with a rearview camera.

GM touted that Buick was chosen because safety and technology top the lists of important considerations for Buick customers.

"We know our customers are very safety conscious," said Duncan Aldred, U.S. vice president of Buick and GMC, in a statement. "The current Buick lineup holds many safety accolades, but we are always pushing to be at the forefront with our vehicles being among the safest available."

In addition to the safety and convenience of a rearview camera, the 2015 Buick lineup – including Verano, LaCrosse, Enclave, Encore with all-wheel drive, and Regal (without optional rear seat-mounted side-impact air bags) – has a 5-star Overall Vehicle Score for safety in the New Car Assessment Program run by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Buick spokesman Nick Richards said the 2015 models will start arriving in dealerships this summer. The company has not released if the pricing of the vehicles will increase due to the standard rearview camera that also requires a screen to be in the car.

Michael Wayland covers the automotive industry for MLive. Email him at MWayland@mlive.com & follow him on Twitter @MikeWayland or Google+.