Surround view camera systems provide drivers with a bird’s eye view of their surroundings, aiding in low-speed maneuvers and enhancing safety. However, these systems have limitations, such as blind spots and geometric distortions, which can hinder the driver’s ability to recognize vulnerable road users (VRUs). In this presentation, we discuss our research on evaluating the image quality of surround view cameras and its impact on VRU safety. Our methodology involved exploring different approaches to characterize performance, including field of view diagrams, object size measurements, and qualitative assessments of image quality. Our findings indicate that while distortion at ground level is limited, significant deformations are observed at different elevations, posing challenges for VRU recognition. We emphasize the importance of including image quality measurements in the safety assessment of surround view cameras, in addition to blind zone definition and object size requirements. Improvements in digital processing algorithms and camera placement are necessary to reduce distortion and enhance VRU safety.