All vehicles have blind spots, and seeing another vehicle suddenly emerge seemingly from out of nowhere can easily startle any driver, no matter how careful. When you’re going about everyday life on your own two feet, blind spots can be rather annoying. When you’re driving a vehicle though, blind spots can be deadly.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), blind spot accidents lead to around 300 deaths annually, and more than 800,000 of these accidents happen every year. To combat this, manufacturers have started offering blind spot detection (BSD) systems in their vehicles. But what does this system do, and are they worth buying? Let’s find out.
What Does a BSD System Do?
A car’s BSD system alerts the driver whenever another vehicle gets close to the sides of the driver’s vehicle. It’s calibrated to monitor the areas that are difficult or impossible to see using only the side-view mirrors. As such, the BSD system is one of the advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) offered by manufacturers to make the roads safer for everyone.
The system is designed to help prevent vehicular accidents between motorists in adjacent lanes moving in the same direction. It supplements mirrors, giving drivers an added layer of safety.
How Does a BSD System Work?
BSD systems check for vehicles that pass alongside your vehicle using radar or ultrasonic sensors. Certain variations can also sense objects a few car lengths behind you. These systems then alert you of any vehicles approaching or entering your blind spots. The system’s sensors are usually located in the left and right sides of your vehicle’s rear bumpers. In addition, the side-view mirrors of vehicles equipped with a BSD system will often have cameras inside their housings.
Turning the system on or off is usually a matter of pressing a button on the control panel or inputting a command into the vehicle’s interface. In general, the system will start working once the vehicle reaches around 20 miles per hour. An icon or flashing light will typically illuminate on the dashboard, side-view mirror, or heads up display. Beeping or chiming will often accompany this visual cue. Some BSD systems even offer haptic feedback through the vehicle’s steering wheel or seat.
Things To Keep In Mind When Using a BSD System
Now, there are a number of things to remember when using a BSD system.
Intended Use
BSD systems are mainly designed for highway use and high speeds, so they might not make much of a difference to your driving experience on city streets.
Also, as we’ve mentioned, the BSM system is made to detect vehicles running beside you. The system will notify you when a vehicle switches lanes and enters the warning area and when a passing vehicle in an adjacent lane gets closer. You shouldn’t expect it to alert you if a vehicle is approaching from in front of your vehicle. Similarly, the system won’t alert you if a vehicle is approaching from directly behind you or when you pass by stationary objects.
Maximum Speed Differential Limit
Each BSD system has a maximum speed differential limit that you can check in the owner’s manual. This means that if a vehicle beside you is going significantly faster than you, the system can’t detect it.
Sensor Limitations
The sensors of a BSD system should be kept clean. If they’re blocked by dirt, snow, ice, mud, or anything else, the system won’t work very well.
Likewise, the sensor won’t always be able to notice motorcycles and other smaller objects running alongside you. Stay alert and be careful if you have smaller vehicles like bikes traveling alongside you on the road.
What To Look For in a BSD System
Of course, there are also a few things you should look for when buying a vehicle with a BSD system. These features won’t be the deciding factor of worth for a BSD system, but they can act as the cherry on top for an already-good system.
Volume Settings
Some BSD systems can be rather loud, so check if there’s a volume setting in your vehicle’s model. Of course, make sure it’s still loud enough to get your attention when needed.
Extra Features
Ask if the BSD system includes any extra features like rear cross-traffic braking or alerts. These can save you a lot of trouble in traffic jams and parking lots alike. Some automakers like Ford and Ram even offer BSD systems that detect and monitor a trailer attached to your vehicle.
One extra feature that can offer even more help in avoiding accidents is active collision avoidance. If the system detects the vehicle beside you just as you’re about to switch into that lane, it can manipulate both your brakes and steering to avoid a collision. If you find that’s a little too much control to hand over to the system though, worry not. Features like this can be overridden by the driver if they choose.
Indicator Lights Placement
Find out where the indicator lights are in the system and if you can replace them if needed. The system you choose might even have additional indicator lights linked to added features. Knowing the location of all the lights will be important later on for maintenance.
Is Blind Spot Detection Worth It?
Blind spot detection isn’t perfect, but it is handy for keeping you safe on the road. No matter how good a driver you are, it can’t hurt to have additional audio and visual warnings to help minimize risk. Having a BSD system installed can help you reduce the strain of not knowing what exactly is in the blind spot of your vehicle. Because of this, they’re becoming more and more common in modern vehicles. There are even aftermarket BDS systems out there that you can purchase for older vehicles. If you can afford the upgrade, why not pay the premium for that extra peace of mind?
Keep Reading: Related Posts
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
